BY LAWN SOLUTIONS AUSTRALIA | JUN 2021 Australia’s Turf Treasure Trove Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

UNDER PROMISE AND THE DAVIDSON FAMILY ATTRACTING WORLD OVER DELIVER MASTERS OF TURF CLASS EVENTS ... The Turfgrass Group [pg 04] ...Jimboomba Celebrate 40 Years [pg 21] ... Moreton Bay Stadium [pg 52] Welcome to TurfTalk,

Australia’s most comprehensive turf magazine. TurfTalk is suitable for all turf professionals, from turf growers to landscapers, golf courses and sports ground curators, to government and related industry organisations.

TurfTalk is here to share with you the latest information on the turf industry, the exciting PREMIUM GOLF SURFACES developments in turf research and to keep you up to date with everything you need to know about turf.

TurfTalk is a free magazine, distributed to over 3000 landscape and turf professionals. SIR GRANGE TIFTUF TurfTalk is published by Lawn Solutions Australia. ZOYSIA HYBRID BERMUDA Contact: For any enquiries, submissions or to subscribe to our digital edition please contact us at Sir Grange is a fine bladed premium zoysia TifTuf has superior drought tolerance requiring [email protected] matrella turf variety, which has high shade on average 38% less water than other similar Flemington Race Course (story on page 43) tolerance and very low nutrient and varieties and has been certified and issued with water requirements. the Smart Approved WaterMark. Inside this issue

TRINITY PRIMO MANAGING A MULTI-SPORTS FACILITY PG 04 TROON INTERNATIONAL’S GLOBAL GROWTH PG 30 ZOYSIA ZOYSIA MOUNT LOFTY HOUSE PG 08 AUSTRALIAN SPORT TURF CONSULTANTS PG 35

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS SYDNEY PG 10 BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PARK SYDNEY PG 38 Trinity has fantastic mowing versatility, a nice Primo’s mowing versatility allows for heights deep green and great disease resistance, between 2 - 10mm, requires minimal nutrition excellent density, which gives it high wear once established and can handle poor quality THE TURFGRASS GROUP PG 14 FINLEASE AND YOUR GROWING BUSINESS PG 42 and weed resistance. water with a salt index levels up to 17,000ppm. THE TORO TRI-CENTER PG 18 TURF AND THE RACETRACK PG 45

Photo: Sir Grange at Teven Valley Golf Course JIMBOOMBA TURF CELEBRATE 40 YEARS PG 21 AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS PG 50

BC SANDS, SINCE 1983 PG 25 MORETON DAILY STADIUM PG 52 Exclusive to NATIONAL DIESEL, DIRT & TURF EXPO PG 28 MARULAN CRICKET CLUB PG 56

P | 1 3 0 0 8 8 3 7 11 lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au WELCOME TO TURFTALK / 3 There are many factors that contribute to the challenges of managing a Key Considerations multi-sport facility. At last count, UWA Sports Park was home to 10 separate sporting codes. From your hugely popular sports such as Soccer, AFL, and Managing a Multi-Sport Rugby, to your smaller profile sports such as Ultimate Frisbee. Regardless of stature or popularity, it is my role to lead the grounds team to deliver the Facility highest quality surface for all sporting codes. Being a team of sports lovers ourselves, it is a responsibility that is Words by Chris Kercheval, Turfcare WA UWA Sports Park Manager certainly not lost on us.

Perth has an extremely healthy population of soccer enthusiasts and this is very well supported at UWA Sports Park. At any one time we can have up to 6 soccer fields in play, all of which overlap fields that are used for other codes. These other codes are all dependent on ball roll, such as hockey and Cricket, thus creating wear issues which in turn, can create safety issues for the opposing sport. One of our biggest challenges with this is the ever-decreasing change over window between winter and summer sport. A good example of this was Round 1 of cricket this season. The week prior to this fixture the ground we know as ‘cricket east’ was home to the parks 4 main soccer fields. Within the cricket outfield, we have soccer goal mouths and centre circles, which are very high wear areas. These soccer fields in the height of winter season will have anywhere between 7-10 training sessions per week, on top of weekend fixtures. Added to this, are major events such as Country Week and Football West Carnivals. These fields create very high traffic. To help protect these areas and aid with the limited turnover time, we over sew all winter playing fields with rye grass. Along with the aesthetically pleasing aspect rye grass presents, it allows us to protect the kikuyu base throughout the cooler months, therefore helping provide a nice safe surface immediately for summer sport.

Rather than remove the rye grass straight after the last winter fixture, we will alter the cutting height from 22mm (soccer), then an in-between cut at 15mm, finishing at 10mm (cricket). As we move through October and temperatures start to climb, we will transition the rye grass out slowly. Only when it is evident that the kikuyu is on the move, that is when we will remove the rye

4 / MANAGING A MULTI-SPORT FACILITY MANAGING A MULTI-SPORT FACILITY / 5 with a selective herbicide. What we have Chris Kercheval found with this process is we achieve a nice surface for the first month of cricket, then when the time is right to remove the rye, the kikuyu has already asserted dominance and we do not have a block of time where the surface is poor or in recovery mode. Another way we can improve wear is by altering the co-ordinates of the soccer fields each season. We have the capacity to move each field 5-7 meters E/W and 3-5 meters N/S, this allows us to change goal square and centre circle locations each year, this really helps to alter wear areas and decrease the need to returf these areas season after season.

UWA Sports Park has recently undergone a state-of-the-art lighting upgrade. Although this is a positive outcome for sporting clubs, it has become a key consideration for the grounds team. Increased lighting ability has given clubs greater opportunity to train more often, and for longer periods of time, sometimes as late as 11pm. Obviously this creates more wear issues, but another significant consideration to account for is that it shortens our watering window throughout the warmer months. Navigating a Perth summer is difficult for any turf manager. In our situation, we are irrigating 18 Hectares of sports turf, as well as the surrounding areas. When certain areas are unable to come on at specific times of can provide this service with high-capacity down time for clubs. We then revert to surfaces have taken time. It has been a real About the Author night due to these longer training sessions, equipment and machinery. our more maintenance N-P-K fertilisers credit to the team for their experimentation Born and bred on Victoria’s Mornington including cricket wickets, it is essential post renovations. and perseverance around these areas. The “ Peninsula, Chris Kercheval started his that a sustainable program is identified to Communication with the various stake hard work has resulted in some humbling career in the Turf Industry through an accommodate surface usage, as well as holders throughout this process is On top of the 18 Hectares of sports turf feedback from user groups. You are always AT LAST COUNT, UWA apprenticeship in 1999 with the City of optimise plant health. paramount. It is not always easy to convince we manage at UWA Sports Park, there are learning in this caper and the various Greater Dandenong. During this time Chris clubs, that the benefit of end of year major other surfaces that present us challenges. I surfaces have been refreshing to work with SPORTS PARK WAS Worked at Dandenong’s premier cricket Renovation time at UWA Sports Park is renovations outweighs the frustrations of a believe grass and clay tennis courts are the for the grounds team. A positive formula for HOME TO 10 SEPARATE venue Shepley Oval as an apprentice turf without doubt our trickiest period of the field being in recovery mode for a period. only clay courts left in the state. A purpose- us has been putting trust in our team, being wicket curator. Shepley Oval was also home year. With multiple sporting codes, it Although we regularly groom and vert-drain built cinder profile grass running track, 2 x SPORTING CODES. creative, improvising and bouncing ideas to the Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup seldom completely shuts down, there is throughout the year, we still find end of year synthetic hockey pitches and clay baseball off each other. If you can do that, along with side in the winter and accommodated VFL always someone training. From a yearly renovations essential. Winter sport sees us mounds. At the beginning of our tenure at ” having pride and taking care in what you do, games. Chris finished his Turf Management planning point of view, it makes this process oversew 10 Hectares with rye grass. This UWA our team had very limited experience 9 times out 10 you will be satisfied with the Apprenticeship in 2002. challenging to plan and schedule. Key significantly raises our clip rate through the when it came to surfaces such as clay tennis surface you can present, regardless of what with you. At the end of a week, as a group, consideration to account for in preparation cooler months, in turn increasing organic courts and baseball mounds. With the tennis that surface may be. In 2002 Chris relocated to Perth for football of spring renovation season is: Who will matter back into the profile. It is imperative court clay becoming increasingly difficult you can sit back and be proud of how your commitments. He worked at the beautiful be training, is there touring teams, what we remove this material and break down to source, it is crucial to look after what is Having such a unique multi-sport, broad teamwork has been able to present a site, Aquinas College on their grounds team for carnivals will be on etc. Some of the higher surface tension moving into the warmer there. Keeping the moisture on the surface acre site in metropolitan Perth, means it will it makes all the daily and yearly challenges 2 years before being offered the Turf Wicket profile teams train most of the year. Our months. We achieve this through our end whilst courts are out of play is critical to always attract new sports, carnivals, touring you face all seem worthwhile. No matter Curator role at the prestigious Hale School. renovation window is extremely tight, and of year renovations. There has long been a keeping the clay in place. If we allow them sides, and events that other facilities are what sports we may be preparing for, I still Chris worked in this role for 9 years before we experience teams training right the question fertilising pre- or post-renovation. to dry out, the strong south westerly winds unable to host. It is a very special venue. get a real buzz when the surface we have accepting the Grounds Co-Ordinator role. way through our renovation period. It is I am a big believer in a high N up front come through in the afternoon and you Our Turfcare WA Grounds Team are very presented looks good on the eye, and you This role was held for 4 years. Chris then imperative that renovations are completed fertiliser 2-3 weeks prior to renovations. can literally watch the clay being blown off fortunate to come to work every day at such are confident that the work you put in will joined Turfcare WA when he accepted the swiftly, but not to the detriment of the quality This allows us to bounce back quickly after the surface. Finding the right formulas and a wonderful site. I also feel fortunate to be mean it plays well and be a safe surface for Grounds Manager role at UWA Sports Park of finish that we are striving for. Turfcare WA renovating, meaning less disruption or techniques to prepare and present these able to share some of our key considerations all to enjoy. in August 2017.

6 / MANAGING A MULTI-SPORT FACILITY MANAGING A MULTI-SPORT FACILITY / 7 The Sunnyside of Mount Mount Lofty grounds Lofty House SUNNYSIDE INSTANT LAWN – TIFTUF HYBRID BERMUDA INSTALLATION

based in Mundulla owned by Andrew and built Sequoia Villas. The grass area in front irrigation when necessary. Sheridan Rowett. of the villas was designed to be a daily meeting point for guests to indulge in Both Sunnyside and Mount Lofty worked Mount Lofty initially made contact local products, socialising and interaction together with a reputable landscaper in with Sunnyside requesting advice and with the native wildlife. 1000’s of native the Adelaide Hills to install the project. The lawn care products to help with the plants were recently planted making it Mount Lofty grounds team and landscaper appearance of their fescue. This grass a truly beautiful place to relax and enjoy prepared the area for the turf to be laid, surrounded the cottage and gardens, the amazing Piccadilly valley view of the with Sunnyside completing the installation beautifully complimenting this manicured 2 Adelaide Hills. This space also providing a of over 700m of TifTuf over 2 days. garden area. Limited sunlight however pleasant, cool, resting and feeding place in some areas was resulting in growth The finished result has provided a for the soon to be introduced kangaroos. discrepancies. Sunnyside recommended spectacular unity between the natural and introduced Mount Lofty to the turf The water requirements for the turf to be living areas and the Mount Lofty Facilities. pigment ColourGuard Plus and fertilisers selected for these areas needed to be Memorable moments that the estate to improve performance and colour in minimal with limited water accessibility to had hoped to achieve deeply rooted in these areas. the estate. the local landscape, culture and hotel character, had come to fruition. Turf Project “Water management is a critical aspect Mr Tonkin has been particularly pleased This relationship developed further with to our business as we do not have mains access and therefore rely solely on our with the amazing water usage in Mount Lofty House in Crafers South The Horbelt family purchased the property renovation of all rooms and the recent Sunnyside meeting David Tonkin, Guest spring-fed water. Our spring supplies the maintaining the TifTuf. Or as he puts it Australia was built back in 1852 by in 2009 with a grand vision to continue the development, a new six-star hotel, Relations Manager at Mount Lofty House entire estate.” Mr Tonkin explained. rather the ‘lack of water usage’ that the Yorkshire-born lawyer Arthur Hardy. legacy of the property long considered a Sequoia @ Mount Lofty. With the extensive on site. With discussions had about the best turf solutions for the Mount Lofty fire grass has shown. Over 100 years the estate was bought treasured state icon. construction of new facilities, the gardens Sunnyside recommended the grass TifTuf track which leads to the helicopter pad and sold by numerous families. In and landscaped areas were Hybrid Bermuda, a couch grass, that is the Mount Lofty are continuing to work Since 2009, the business operated in surrounding the property and to repair 1983, deadly bushfires ravaged the also developed. only grass currently recognised with the with Sunnyside to develop a lawn care partnership by David Horbelt and Malcolm some existing areas. It was important area and Mount Lofty House among Smart Approved WaterMark in Australia program including the use of plant growth Beam, has seen significant additions Sunnyside Instant Lawn these grassed areas would provide an over 3,000 other buildings burnt for its water saving characteristics. TifTuf regulator Primo Maxx and Oxafert Pre- to the existing property facilities. This aesthetically pleasing and welcoming down. In 1986, the building was Emergent Herbicide to maintain the best included a conference room extension, Sunnyside Instant Lawn began working place for guests to walk. would provide a grass that could handle restored and was turned into a luxury the construction of Stables Day Spa with Mount Lofty House in 2019. Sunnyside a lot of wear and foot traffic but would performance and visual that this incredible boutique hotel. and Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, full Instant Lawns is a family-owned turf business New turf was also required for the newly also withstand extended periods without estate truly deserves.

8 / MOUNT LOFTY HOUSE MOUNT LOFTY HOUSE / 9 Q & A with Anthony Bashall, Senior Horticulturist Open Spaces and Natural Areas Turf. Australia’s Turf Treasure Trove The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney is an amazing place consisting of over 27,000 plants spread and intertwined across 30 ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, SYDNEY hectares of vibrant green foliage. It’s no surprise that the gardens attract more than 5 million visitors each and every year.

Of special interest to the turf industry, is the incredible range of turf varieties utilised right across the gardens and within the displays. Who better to speak ‘grass’ with than the man who helps manage these large open spaces and natural turf areas, Senior Horticulturist, Anthony Bashall. Anthony has worked within the gardens for over 13 years and been involved within the turf industry for over 25 years. There’s not really much Anthony doesn’t know about turf. We recently caught up with Anthony to discuss the grass at the gardens and how he manages such a large space and how he keeps it looking as incredible as it does.

What does your turf maintenance program involve and what are the challenges?

There are 64 hectares of lawns in the Royal Botanic Garden and the Domain Sydney that I’m currently responsible for the maintenance of.

The turf maintenance programs that get implemented throughout the turf areas are tailored to the specific needs of each site. In the Botanical Gardens there are millions of visitors every year, with people coming in to enjoy the gardens and also people having their weddings or small events.

In the Domain precinct there are approximately 29 major events throughout a normal year. These events consist of festivals, marathons, concerts, operas, open air cinema, Carols in the Domain and New Year’s Eve Celebrations. There are also sports fields in the Domain that are booked out for soccer and netball competitions, as well as use by the public each day for recreational use.

What turf varieties do you have in the gardens?

Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney We have an incredibly broad range of turf species right across the precinct.

10 / ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS SYDNEY ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS SYDNEY / 11 Current varieties include: soil types, their threshold for pest and and has held up well with large amounts • Couch (Windsor Green, Wintergreen, diseases and the type of fertiliser and of foot traffic which is considerable in this Santa Ana) renovation programs required to keep the particular area. plants healthy. • Kikuyu What is your experience and • Buffalo (Sir Walter DNA Certified, Kings How did you come about installing background when it comes to turf Pride, Shademaster) TifTuf at Bennelong Point? How have management? • Durban grass you been finding it so far? I have been in the turf grass industry for over • Sea Isle paspalum I was researching warm season grasses that 25 years. I did 3 years of my apprenticeship • Microlaena stipoides (Weeping Grass) held their colour through winter and could at Beverly Hills Bowling Club and • Themeda Triandra be planted and established in the colder completed my apprenticeship at NSW Golf • Wallaby grass months of the year. Through my research, I Club. After completing my apprenticeship, I spent approximately 10 years working on • Zoysia (Empire, Stockade Native, Sir found an article on TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda group 1 golf courses as an irrigation tech Grange, Nara) from Brian Schwartz Associate Professor from the University of Georgia. After reading and 2IC. After that I moved on to work at • Tropical Carpet grass the article I sought so see if it was being The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for the • Queensland blue couch grown in Australia and found a turf farm with past 13 years and have been working in my • TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda stock in Berry NSW. current role as Senior Horticulturist of Open Space and Natural Areas turf for 8 years. How are sustainability and climate It was decided to visit the turf farm in winter conditions impacting the way the to see if TifTuf had the characteristics that we What turf trials or research projects gardens operate? needed for The Royal Botanic Garden and are you currently conducting within the Domain Sydney. After seeing the grass the gardens? Just like any area in the world, El Nino and La and how it performed, it was decided to Nina events have an impact on the lawns in We have 15 trial turf plots with native grasses trial the grass at Bennelong Point and some and other grasses that can be used in a the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Domain smaller areas around the gardens. domestic or sports environment. These Trust. With my current role I have the ability grasses are on display in the turf plots for the to research grasses and trial the grass in the We have had the grass for a few seasons so public to see. There are also different grasses turf plots or in selected lawns throughout far now and have been happy with how it’s being trialled throughout the site to assess performed. The grass’s faster establishment the gardens looking for improved how well they grow under different use. performance. time over other warm season grasses, through the warmer and also the cooler We look forward to testing and utilising new Having this ability to research grass types months of the year has been ideal. With turf varieties as they become available. If and grow them on site, allows us the establishment times through the colder you are interested in visiting these trial plots opportunity to observe tolerance levels the months and the amount of colour it has or experiencing the different grasses within grasses have. This includes tolerances for held through winter staying strong. It has the gardens, I highly recommend you come drought, their ability to grow in different also maintained an even coverage so far and visit.

12 / ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS SYDNEY ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS SYDNEY / 13 “Under promise and over deliver.” and produced hybrid bermudagrass Although I cannot take claim as the in the world. The UGA list of improved originator of this academic discipline, it bermudagrass cultivar releases is lengthy, is absolutely a fundamental imperative well known, and unmatched. It is on this Under Promise and by which I operate, when it comes to platform that turfgrass breeders Drs. Wayne the introduction of any new product Hanna and Brian Schwartz continue to build into the marketplace. It was with this upon and preserve this legacy. theory as our guiding principle that In May of 1993 Dr. Hanna planted over in early 2015 The Turfgrass Group Over Deliver 27,700 bermudagrass crosses he had made ® (TTG) launched the release of TifTuf in 1992 at Tifton. As a result of continuous Certified Bermudagrass. Little did we observation and evaluation, in 2001 a single Words By Bill Carraway, VP of Sales & Marketing , The Turfgrass Group, Inc. know that some six years later, our selection being tested as DT-1 (drought determination to “Under Promise” tolerant number one) was selected because would ultimately turn out to be one of its ability to maintain quality and green of the greatest understatements ever color longer than the other genotypes spoken in the world of turfgrass. when under drought stress. With the arrival of Dr. Schwartz in 2009, he began The University of Georgia (UGA) has more rigorous scientific testing to better long held the deferential honor of being understand Dr. Hanna’s observations. recognized as the world’s leading turfgrass Additional evaluation plots and real-world breeding program and as such, is revered test sites were established on turf farms and as the standard by which all other university residential properties across Georgia, Texas, and privately owned warm season breeding and Florida for the purpose of evaluating the programs are measured. As Scott Angle, the selection in a diversity of microclimates. former Dean of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences put it, “Much As the result of a specialty crops grant of the past success of our sod and turf known as the Specialty Crop Research industry is a direct result of the many Initiative (SCRI) which began in 2010, varieties of turfgrass generated at UGA.” UGA became a part of a multi-university He continued, “In business, you’re only as collaborative that would focus on selecting good as your ability to keep ahead of your and testing drought-tolerant warm-season competitors. In Georgia, our sod growers turfgrass cultivars. This team included and turf professionals are fortunate to have a scientists from UGA, the University of world-class turfgrass program to keep them Florida, North Carolina State University, ahead of our friends and competitors in Texas A&M University, and Oklahoma other states.” State University. With the team of some 32 scientists exchanging plant material For those of us that view the turfgrass and data across such vast environmental industry through the prism of ‘time served’, conditions, the entire evaluation process we have had the privilege of growing was expedited. According to NC State some superior turfgrass varieties that in turfgrass breeder Susana Mila-Lewis, “The some cases have had profound impacts on collaboration among breeders across our careers as well as our individual farm’s such different environments is priceless. It growth and financial success. In some helps us to select better lines with more cases, these cultivar influences had run performance stability because they have their course in a matter of several growing been tested against a wide range of weather seasons, but those are not the ones I am conditions like drought and cold as well as attempting to focus on. The ones I am an array of pests and diseases.” referring to are those rare cornerstone varieties, the industry changers, these are Upon concluding the 2010-2015 the Transformational Grasses. Can you say, SCRI research cycle, the five-university Tifway 419? collective determined to release a single bermudagrass cultivar, the University In 1960 the University of Georgia in of Georgia’s DT-1. The team’s five-year cooperation with the USDA released the research initiative had demonstrated new interspecific hybrid bermudagrass a 40% water savings over the leading Tifway 419. Developed by Dr. Glen W. bermudagrass, without loss of turf quality. Burton at Tifton, Georgia, this sterile When combining the SCRI results with triploid hybrid, now sixty years later, still concurrent ongoing efforts at Tifton, as well reigns as the most recognized, utilized, as twenty plus years of work done by Drs.

14 / THE TURFGRASS GROUP THE TURFGRASS GROUP / 15 TifTuf® at Hoover Stadium, home of the South Eastern Conference College baseball tournament

the Georgia and California Departments of Agriculture, the GSDC provided the prowess to complete the governmental part of this equation. Through this assemblage of both government and private sector professionals, we established TifTuf® Foundation and Registered fields at Evergreens American Sod Farm facility located in Escondido, California. This marked the first time in UGA and GSDC history that a Foundation plant source field had been permitted and established outside of the state of Georgia.

By 2019 production had exceeded 4,000 acres with new fields being planted at a record pace. Demand was exceeding availability in certain markets, while both ® TifTuf® at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens TifTuf® at the Tryon International Equestrian Center TifTuf sprigs in Ft Valley Georgia commercial and residential developments were beginning to specify TifTuf®. As more Hanna and Schwartz, the university had Our initial foray into the marketplace was production licensing program is unique standards, this also meant that TTG must history. We understood that TifTuf® was sports venues continued to jump on the determined it was time to launch its nothing short of extraordinary. We began in that we limit the number of producers provide the appropriate ‘Application for rapidly becoming a household name in bandwagon requests to sponsor Sports new release. by approaching the progressive producers permitted in each state can make licensing Variety Certification’ documentation to some regions. However, not everyone Turf Managers Association (STMA) events and leaders in our industry, many of which a bit more challenging. Additionally, each state’s certification office where a was as enthusiastic and certain consumers became more prevalent. By the end of that Having followed the DT-1 research data for were already part of the TTG production making certain that we have selected the producer had been licensed. Although remained more than a bit dubious. calendar year, TTG had turned down over more than a decade, TTG understood that network. This group of producers I referred correct producers to meet market demand this document exchange and validation Even knowing TifTuf® checked all the thirty farms nationwide that had requested UGA had accumulated a rather lengthy list to as “the low hanging fruit” as it took little while also reaching the various consumer process had become quite routine for bermudagrass boxes, we still chose to TifTuf® licenses that were either too close to of suitors, all more than willing to take this effort to license them. These producers, like demographics within each state. More TTG, a few unanticipated challenges restrain ourselves from pontificating on an existing producer or were in a state that grass to market. In addition, based on what TTG, had been following the DT-1 research importantly, by our limiting the number presented themselves. every verifiable TifTuf attribute. Instead, we had already been licensed out. research data had continued to corroborate, and were aware of the ‘value-added’ of producers within a specific geography, forced ourselves to “under promise and in terms of drought tolerance and water characteristics that TifTuf® would bring to we are better able to maintain the genetic Until 2015 our experience had been over deliver”. The rationale was that we Today over 750,000,00 million square feet savings, we were acutely aware that the the marketplace. integrity of our exclusive varieties, while at that all certification programs operated would spoon-feed the TifTuf® message of TifTuf® has been installed on professional university had grandiose expectations for the same time protecting our producer’s from a similar protocol template. What slowly to those that might believe that and collegiate sports fields, golf courses, this release. Thus, one can only imagine Early in the market expansion process, TTG ROI and product price point. temporarily stymied our progress, was TifTuf® was simply ‘Too Good to Be True, and commercial and residential landscapes the great sense of adulation felt when it ownership continued to pursue additional the realization that not every certification through an expanded industry conference across the United States. As a result, in just was announced that we had once again marketing opportunities. In early 2016 TTG In addition, TTG is the only licensing program even had established certification schedule, more targeted digital and print the past 6 years, over 11 billion gallons of been selected to market another UGA partnered with Harmony Outdoor Brands, program in the U.S. that requires state guidelines and protocols for warm season education and most importantly face to America’s precious water resources have release. With the realization that we had the nation’s top retail sod provider. Through Crop Improvement Certification for each turfgrass. Thus, there were some brief face presentations. been saved. just been entrusted with one of “those a vast network of sod producers, Harmony of our turfgrass releases. It is imperative moments of trepidation due to these rare cornerstone varieties”, an “industry provides farm fresh sod to various markets that both we and our licensees maintain enlightenments, but as Winston Churchill Within a year, our production network had To date TifTuf® production acreage has changer”, one of those “Transformational coast to coast, including Home Depot the purity, as stated earlier, of our varieties, once said, “A pessimist sees the difficulty grown to over thirty producers nationwide. already surpassed anything that has ® Grasses”, it was now time for us to do what and Lowe’s stores. With our collective thereby making certain that the end-user in every opportunity; an optimist sees We had expanded TifTuf production into ever been accomplished with any other we do best, build a production network. networks expanding across the country, a is receiving the intended variety, thus the opportunity in every difficulty.” The Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, California, licensed proprietary turfgrass in history. Our symbiotic relationship began to develop. the desired characteristics purchased. It outcome was that these momentary and Hawaii. As our network expanded production network now stands at sixty-five In February of 2015, UGA’s newest release Today, TifTuf® is the exclusive bermudagrass is also important to point out that TTG is obstructions provided TTG the opportunity westward, demand for cost-effective ® farms strong, producing over 10,000 acres DT-1 was officially named TifTuf Certified marketed through both Home Depot and the only U.S. licensing program to field to collaborate with our partners at the plant material on the other side of the of Certified TifTuf® on over 100 production Bermudagrass. Now that our variety had a Lowe’s as a Harmony Premium brand. a team of professional turfgrass field Georgia Seed Development Commission U.S. became a necessity. We determined locations across Georgia, Florida, Alabama, name, the work done in preparation for our inspectors. Above and beyond those (GSDC), fashioning language that has to establish a TifTuf® Foundation and ® Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, product launch took shape in short order. By mid-summer we had licensed TifTuf inspections conducted by the individual now become the official warm-season Registered nursery in the Southwest. Tennessee, Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, With plant material sources established, producers in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, state certification programs, we also Certification Standard for several programs, key talking points memorized, armed with Texas, as well as North and South Carolina, inspect every acre of every production field including California. This was accomplished by TTG engaging Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, over twenty years of research data, our team with Georgia and the Carolina’s being nationwide a minimum of three times each one of our oldest producer partners California, and Hawaii. introduced the turfgrass industry to this completely licensed out. Though licensing growing season. As mentioned earlier, we entered the Evergreen Turf of Chandler, Arizona and grass that would begin to change the face producers in six states might not appear marketplace armed with more research by once again calling on the GSDC. I believe it is safe to say, The Turfgrass Group of the American landscape. terribly impressive, understanding that TTG’s By requiring Crop Improvement Certification data than any other proprietary turfgrass in Leveraging their relationship with both may have “Under Promised”, but TifTuf® absolutely “Over Delivered.”

16 / THE TURFGRASS GROUP THE TURFGRASS GROUP / 17 The TRI-Center for Toro Greensmaster eFlex1021 Technology, Research and Innovation Words By The Toro Company

Toro have been developing and controlling unwanted grasses, disease and introducing products that increase pests. (Fun fact: The area where these studies productivity, save water, reduce fuel took place was once the only research consumption and improve growing center of its kind in the world. It’s now conditions for many years. Some known as the “Dr. James R. Watson Research examples of this are the range of and Development Proving Grounds” and recently introduced lithium-ion battery it is still being used today at Toro’s world headquarters in Bloomington, Minn.) powered Greensmaster® ride-on and Greensmaster® eFLEX Walk Greens During his 46 years at Toro, Dr. Watson was Mowers, the WE500 – a battery a pioneer in turf and water management operated utility loader and the Lynx research, and he used the results of his Central Irrigation Control system, to studies to educate Toro personnel and name but a few. the industry at large. Dr. Watson was more than an agronomist, he was a customer Have you ever wondered what new advocate — and golf courses, parks and technologies Toro is working on for the sports facilities around the world frequently future? Are you curious about where we sought his advice whenever they faced get our inspiration for new products and difficult turf challenges. features? You may be surprised to find out we have a whole team dedicated to Expanding Our Focus supporting and facilitating research and development, and we’re always evolving Building on Dr. Watson’s groundbreaking right along with our customers and markets. research, an advanced engineering group emerged within Toro’s commercial Toro’s Center for Technology, Research and division in the 1980s. Over time, this team Innovation (the TRI-Center) is our research expanded to include both residential and facility. But our commitment to development commercial equipment, as well as irrigation, goes back to The Toro Company’s evolving into the Center for Advanced Turf beginnings in 1914. That’s why this story Technology in the late 1990s. about the future wouldn’t be complete without a look back at our past. Since then, Toro’s product offering has grown substantially — and our research and True to Our Roots development efforts have evolved to match. Although turf science and agronomy are Finding better ways to solve customers’ still very much a part of our work, we have challenges has always been part of the broadened our efforts to include other non- fabric of Toro’s culture. An important turf areas that impact our customers. Today, chapter in that legacy started in 1952, the TRI-Center is a resource for every Toro when turf industry legend James R. Watson, business, from underground directional Ph.D., joined The Toro Company as drilling to snow and ice management to director of agronomy. micro-irrigation for agriculture.

Around that time, Dr. Watson began leading What Is the TRI-Center, and What Do a team of researchers in conducting studies They Do? on a variety of grasses and soils to ensure best management practices in fertilisation You can learn a lot about the Center for and water usage, as well as approaches for Technology, Research and Innovation simply

18 / THE TORO TRI-CENTER THE TORO TRI-CENTER / 19 problems — from the challenge of finding and retaining qualified labour to dealing with the demands of doing more with less, The Davidson Family- the team works on problems rather than products. The solution may ultimately take the form of a new product, but it could also be finding new ways to apply something Masters of Turf that already exists. It all comes down to understanding the challenges you face and delivering real solutions. JIMBOOMBA TURF CELEBRATES 40 YEARS Where Will the TRI-Center Focus in the Future? Toro Greensmaster e1021 and eFlex1021 Looking ahead, the TRI-Center is focused on exploration in several key areas: Toro WE500 mini digger 1. Productivity. Whether you’re facing a shortage of labour or time (or both), increased productivity is more important than ever. That’s true for professionals and consumers alike. The TRI-Center team continues to look at ways to save time and streamline efficiencies, for example, by simplifying operation and maintenance processes.

2. Precision management. The fewer resources and inputs you have to work with, the more important it is to manage them efficiently. Historically, many of our customers have relied by looking at the name. Each keyword before developing a new one. Most of this more on art than science to manage captures an aspect of their work at Toro: research applies directly to the markets and their resources. In the future, our goal customers Toro serves, but the TRI-Center is to equip you with more science (i.e., Center: The TRI-Center plays a central role also partners with universities and industry data-based information) to assist you in at Toro, working on behalf of all of The organisations to support fundamental making better-informed decisions. Toro Company’s markets and customers. scientific research that benefits our Research and development isn’t a separate customers’ industries overall. 3. Alternative energy. We are working in department in a separate location; it’s done support of those who have a desire in collaboration. This eliminates duplication Innovation: The TRI-Center serves as a to reduce their carbon footprint. We of efforts, as multiple divisions often collaborative advocate and resource, continue to investigate the potential need the same kinds of core technology promoting innovation throughout The Toro of various forms of alternative energy, “building blocks.” Company. We recognise that the word aimed at improving air quality through “innovation” means different things for reduced emissions, and achieving Technology: The TRI-Center supports each different organisations. At Toro, it means quieter, less disruptive operation. division by investigating new technologies generating ideas that are both novel — which could be anything from alternative and useful — not one or the other — and 4. Technology exploration. What’s on fuels to wireless communications. applying those ideas in ways that are valued the horizon that could benefit our Sometimes this is purely exploratory, by our customers. We’re not interested in customers? Can we use existing without a set goal other than learning inventing for the sake of invention; we’re technology in new ways to achieve from customers about their challenges committed to solving problems and making customers’ goals? Members of the and identifying opportunities to apply life easier for the people we serve. And that TRI-Center will be keeping their eyes, technology. At other times, a specific extends to our approach to sustainability ears and minds open — always looking division has a stated objective and the as well. Our goal is to use technology in for creative ways to apply technology TRI-Center helps to answer questions or ways that not only help conserve our natural in useful ways. compare alternatives before work begins on resources but are also cost-efficient for our a new product development project. customers — ultimately delivering both No matter where the future leads us, environmental and operational sustainability. you can be sure that Toro’s Center for Research: This is all about delivering Technology, Research and Innovation tangible data, whether it’s substantiating In summary, Toro’s Center for Technology, is working to find new ways to apply the cost of ownership of an existing Research and Innovation team is technology to solve the challenges you face Jimboomba Turf Farm product or answering preliminary questions passionately focused on solving customer every day.

20 / THE TORO TRI-CENTER JIMBOOMBA TURF CELEBRATE 40 YEARS / 21 Dallas, have gone back to their roots, and some 15 years ago established Towri Sheep Cheeses. Apart from milking the Awassi ewes and making fine cheeses, Towri Sheep Cheeses were also involved in a large-scale Awassi Embryo transfer program, where some 4,000 embryos were shipped off farm, a complex husbandry process. Although milking sheep is a far cry from shearing them, the connection with the animal remains. Towri Sheep Cheeses is now a recognised brand in some of Brisbane’s top end restaurants.

While inventing things is fun, to fund innovation you need sales, and Jimboomba Turf has thrived in this area. While the domestic market of “mums and dads” might be the backbone of the business, the work of the team in the commercial and export areas really put Jimboomba Turf on the map. With 40 years of continuous contracts with Brisbane City Council supplying turfgrass for spaces across the city, Jimboomba Turf, has expanded to become the go to turf supplier for large scale projects across South East Queensland. This has seen grass from Jimboomba Turf installed at Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Southbank Parklands, Port of Brisbane and Noosa Foreshore, to name a few.

The continued innovation in this space has While Jimboomba Turf’s origins started The Davidson family were no strangers to seen TifTuf from Jimboomba Turf become in 1973, the future of the business Renee & Lynn Manfred Stud working the land, with a 100 year history on the go-to grass for the Dog-off-leash areas was truly cemented in 1981 when Ray the sheep and cattle station “Manfred” in across Brisbane, greatly reducing the inputs Davidson and his son Lynn purchased the Longreach district, where 10,000 sheep required to maintain these parks while also the business. It was on a serendipitous and 1,000 head of cattle were run. A proud increasing their lifespan. trip to Brisbane when Ray happened to see and loyal family, the family business has a truck filled with rolls of turf. Soon after Ray even had the same bank for over 100 years! As the Jimboomba Turf business has grown and Lynn were working on a windmill some It is tough land out Longreach way and to so has the scale of their projects, with a 10 miles from the house, where Ray was work that land you need the right kind of move into golf courses in the 1980’s. High reading the lunch paper wrapping, when temperament. It is not enough to just work profile courses across the region became he noticed an advertisement for a turf farm. hard and show up, it also requires a certain Jimboomba Turf grassed courses, from Sitting in the dust, under a lonely tree, Lynn spark for innovation and nous. It is this spark Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove,Twin Waters had no idea what he was talking about. and nous that has kept Jimboomba Turf at & Brookwater Golf Course. The success of the forefront of the Australian turf industry for these projects saw the business move into This piqued enough interest for Ray to the last 40 years. This focus on innovation exports with courses from China, Vietnam, go take a look at the farm on his next trip and the drive to find new green solutions Indonesia, Thailand and the United Arab to Brisbane, where he called Lynn and has seen the business regularly recognised, Emirates all featuring Jimboomba Turf grass. implored him to go take a look as well. including winning The Queensland 400 More recently in the golf space Jimboomba Innovation awarded in 1998, along with Turf’s innovative nature came into play once The captivation was being next to a big several successful patents including Stay more, devising a system of refrigerated river, with water on demand, Ray’s logic Turf, which won an award on the ABC’s transport to supply Killara Golf Course was that the haunting droughts of Western The New Inventors program in 2006. The in Sydney with Sir Grange. With nearly Queensland, would be a thing of the continued innovation and excellence in 900km’s from farm to client, this project past. On the 18th of July 1981 Ray and turfgrass saw Lynn inducted into the Turf perfectly suited the out-of-the-box thinking Lynn Davidson became the new owners of Australia Hall of Fame in 2017. that drives Jimboomba Turf. Jimboomba Turf. The family connection was further strengthened later in the 1980’s with Amongst all of this, Lynn’s ever supportive The final feather in the commercial cap was Lynn’s sister Cherie joining the business. wife Carolyn, and their youngest daughter the inclusion of turf into Bunnings

22 / JIMBOOMBA TURF CELEBRATE 40 YEARS JIMBOOMBA TURF CELEBRATE 40 YEARS / 23 BC Sands deliveries

to make turf production from the paddock to the customer more efficient. What they have identified thus far and from talking to counterparts across the country is that the industry is struggling with finding the right technological solutions to make the dream work. Renee and Alana are now focused on bringing their management and systems International Womens Day at Jimboomba Turf based experience into Jimboomba Turf to make that dream a reality, not just for Jimboomba Turf but for the industry at large. Warehouse stores. When Lynn first flew In 2004 she started at the QLD Police down to Melbourne to suggest turf as a Service Academy, graduating in 2005 with “I believe as a collective we need a unified product to the Bunnings management, the her first posting in Brisbane. Upon finishing front on finding a solution that makes this idea was not warmly received. In fact it took her first year training Renee got her first industry more cost and time efficient in several trips to Melbourne to get the idea permanent posting in Cairns, where this space so we can all focus on what off the ground. Finally the initiative received she was deployed across the Cape York matters; growing top quality turfgrass the greenlight, and has now expanded far District. It was while in the Far North that for our customers. Being able to adapt beyond Jimboomba Turf, with LSA forging a she met her partner and Fiance Alana. A quickly to the changing economic, social & national footprint. move back to Brisbane in 2008 saw Alana environmental climate, is critical to always join the business working part-time under staying that one step ahead”. This mix of domestic and commercial work the guidance of long serving farm Renee Davidson has translated into dominating national manager Daryl Pearce at the Allenview sales. In fact Jimboomba Turf dominated Production Facility. Lynn’s industry observations, “at this point the Sir Walter/LSA awards over the years in history, the Turf Farming industry is like winning the award for the greatest national In 2010 Renee successfully won a position no other primary industry, there are old sales from 2013 to 2018, only finally within the Logan District Child Protection heads and young heads, in that there eclipsed in 2019 when Coolabah Turf snuck and Investigation Unit (CPIU), which began is nearly a blanket succession process past them. This was a bittersweet moment as a 10 year long career in investigating serious happening across the country. Hopefully, Lynn’s commitment to growing the industry offences committed upon children. This led this succession transition will work saw him share a lot of his knowledge and to a posting in the Thursday Island CPIU, through positively and the industry can encouragement with Suzie & Brad Shearer in the Torres Strait. Renee encourages grow from the younger thinking, with grey and the Coolabah team, so while it hurt everyone reading this to put it on your travel hair encouragement.” bucket list (but make sure you go in Winter if to lose the number one position it was at Sadly in May 2020, Lynn’s sister Cherie you aren’t a fan of humidity), it is a precious least nice to lose it to a team that shared a lost her battle with ovarian cancer, this was part of Queensland. A further promotion mutual admiration. The next challenge lies a tremendous blow to the family and the to a management position as Detective in finding the next innovation to reclaim that business. Cherie is remembered as being Sergeant took Renee and Alana to Mt Isa top spot from the Coolabah Team. the administrative backbone of the business, where they remained until 2020. ruling this responsibility with an iron rod. Long a family affair, the family connection Her quick wit and devotion to her staff will has taken a big step in 2021. Fuelling that With Cherie’s declining health in 2020 be sadly missed. drive for innovation the third generation of Renee felt, and along with Alana’s support, that it was time to return to base and support Davidson’s has recently joined the business. With the addition of Renee and Alana, this Lynn and the family business. With Alana’s Lynn’s eldest daughter Renee has stepped devotion to staff will continue as no future is previous knowledge from working on the into a leadership role after a long career in guaranteed without valued and committed farm under Daryl and her management Humble Beginnings to 200 the police service. team and the business is very grateful to experience, she was in a prime position have an awesome crew across the board, all Renee is no stranger to Jimboomba Turf to take on managing the farm under the pulling together. having spent her summer holidays as a guidance of Lynn. Renee and Alana are both teenager spot spraying weeds on the still finding their feet in their new roles, but With some new and innovative strategies in Deliveries a Day farm. When she started her tertiary studies are both committed to bringing new life the pipeline, along with the fresh blood of in Justice she moved into a casual role into the business and are developing new Renee and Alana the future is very bright for delivering turf samples to Bunnings stores. strategies through technological solutions Jimboomba Turf. BC SANDS, SINCE 1983

24 / JIMBOOMBA TURF CELEBRATE 40 YEARS BC SANDS, SINCE 1983 / 25 BC Sands Building

BC Sands started as a small hardware BC Sands now have over 100 full and “ Key Business Strengths: soil to customers for use as an underlay The quality of the turf is fantastic and the store in Bexley in 1983 with five staff part-time staff, with over 30 trucks, ranging for turf and then customers were making Muscat family who run the farm have first and two trucks. from narrow bodied tippers to heavy PEOPLE OFTEN SAY • Crane reach capacity - Saving another phone call to purchase their turf class business ethics. The BC Sands team combination vehicles. This industry leading THEY SEE THE BC customers time and money by from a turf farm. Turf farms are happy to have a great partnership with LSA and From those humble beginnings, the range of crane trucks (with reaches up to dropping their delivery to exactly sell large quantities of turf, but Active Turf and conduct a Trade Night once business grew to operate from an impressive 21m), helps them to meet any customer’s SANDS TRUCKS where they need it. Our fleet of crane understandingly charge a premium for a year where customers can chat directly 2 purpose built, 17,000m plus facility in Taren needs. trucks have reaches of up to 21m. small deliveries as they have tolls on the with the growers and the team at LSA. Turf Point. This facility incorporates a yard with EVERYWHERE. THIS IS M5 & M7, as most of the farms are located is now considered one of the BC Sands • Our focus on highly trained staff and over 50 product bays, each holding 50 The product range at BC Sands includes out Windsor way. It seemed a logical step ‘Hero Products’. It is very much part of the HARDLY SURPRISING, customer service. plus tonnes, a hardware store, warehouse, over 5,000 products and uses the latest for BC Sands to supply the soil and the turf BC Sands offer to their customers and they purpose built bagging equipment and equipment and technology to provide WITH OVER 30,000 • Quality products - Using genuine in the one delivery. continue to be the ‘go to’ place in Southern parking for over 30 vehicles (including better service to their customers. CUSTOMERS IN THE accredited turf for example. Sydney (Taren Point depot) and Northern trucks and trailers). This provides a simpler process for the Beaches (Brookvale depot) to buy your turf. People often say they see the BC Sands SYDNEY BASIN... • Utilising the latest in technology - Fleet customer and if a tradie is sending his team In 2019, BC Sands opened a branch trucks everywhere. This is hardly surprising, tracking and automatic customer to do the work for both products (the soil BC Sands receive fresh cut turf 6 days a 2 in Brookvale, a 2,000m purpose-built with over 30,000 customers in the Sydney ” updates via text for example. and turf), they arrive and can be laid at week and customers rely on the availability builders and landscapers’ yard with Basin, BC Sands supply a vast array of quality the same time. Over the years BC Sands and convenience of being able to buy a storage bins for 21 bulk products and a building and landscape products all over BC Sands try to remove problems or simplify have had various turf suppliers, but now perishable product so readily. This goes for 500m2 warehouse for cement and other Sydney every day - It is not uncommon for processes for their largely trade customer deal exclusively with Active Turf who are a summer and winter as well, with all year- building materials. them to exceed 200 deliveries a day! base. In the past, they were selling a lot of member of Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA). round turf supply.

26 /BC SANDS, SINCE 1983 BC SANDS, SINCE 1983 / 27 Stands at the 2021 Expo

The National Diesel, Dirt “ THIS YEAR THE EXPO & Turf Expo RUN FROM THURSDAY THE 8TH TO SUNDAY THE 11TH OF APRIL 2021 AND WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 90,000 PLUS VISITORS ”

Remarketing of assets. • Ben Lambert (FieldTurf Aust) – The future of sports ground management. • James Evins (LandHQ) – The future of GPS and guided technology.

The following days were open to the public with the turf industry exhibitors giving the vast number of visitors some turf product and service knowledge.

These exhibitors were:

International Greenkeepers For Hire- • Raffled a donated Dean Trailer full of turf related products and items, that we raised $1000 for the NSWGSA flood Stands at the 2021 Expo assistance fund. • Mock footy fields entertained endless amounts of kids during the expo. The National Diesel & Dirt was International Greenskeepers For Hire stand to raise awareness of what the turf industry • Dr Swaminathan (Draslovka) – Soil • Product display and sales. established in 2015, managed and is about and to try to reinvigorate some treatment for turf management in • Sports Turf Association of NSW. operated by representatives of the youthful interest in the trade. Sports stadium, golf course, bowling Information stand. Australian earthmoving equipment greens (nematodes/groundpearl). This year the expo run from Thursday the industry, to help construction, Musturf Lawn & Turf Company/Ezi-Mat/ 8th to Sunday the 11th of April 2021 and • John Neylan (SportsEng) – Sports Field contractors and local councils keep up Lawn Solutions Australia/AusGAP Certified was attended by over 90,000 plus visitors Construction and renovations, Sports to date with the latest technology in during this period. It is a great to know that Fields Hours of Use and Sports Field • Turf displays. earthmoving, construction and public this amount of people got some insight and Construction and renovations. • Installation displays. space maintenance equipment. knowledge on the turf industry as well as its • Jeremy Winer (Weed Techniques) • Automatic mower displays. Due to covid-19 the expo didn’t take products and services. – Integrated Sustainable Weed • Product displays. place in 2020 which would have been the As part of the expo on Thursday the 8th Management. introduction of the turf component to make the Sports Turf Association of NSW held an • Andrew Pride (Nano Bubble • Promotional giveaways. it The National Diesel, Dirt & Turf Expo, education seminar for over 80 members that Technologies) – Oxygenation The turf stands were a success with this is credited to Daryl Davidson Head included the following speakers: technology to treat turf/greenspace groundsman at Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness/ International Greenkeepers For Hire winning and wastewater technologies. Founder of International Greenkeepers • Jenny Zadro (Turf Australia) – NSW Best Small Stand and Daryl is already started For Hire who approached the organisers. floods and turf availability and latest • Albie Leggett (TurfCare) – Cricket planning for the 2022 Expo, with the hope His idea of adding the turf element to the research on ‘heat island effect” and Wicket Testing. of attracting more turf related exhibitors and well-established Diesel & Dirt Expo as a way erosion control. • Hugh Rainger (Pickles Auctions) – going for a Best Small stand award repeat.

28 /NATIONAL DIESEL, DIRT & TURF EXPO NATIONAL DIESEL, DIRT & TURF EXPO / 29 “ Australia – A Breeding FIRSTLY, AUSTRALIA SHOULD BE PROUD THAT MANY OF THE Ground For Troon BEST GOLF COURSES IN THE WORLD International’s Global Growth HAVE AUSTRALIAN SUPERINTENDENTS. ” - Mark Chapleski, President of Troon International.

Troon started as one facility in 1990 This mantra was adopted with the expansion in all aspects of golf maintenance and managers and superintendents. Under the “With a focus on hiring locally, many and has since grown to become the of Troon in 1999, with the establishment construction provided our Australian guidance of Troon’s Director of Agronomy at aspiring superintendents quickly accepted largest professional manager of club of the first international office in Brisbane, associates with fantastic opportunities for time of opening David Nicholls and the Golf roles as Greenkeepers at Brookwater and operations in the world. Founded by Australia. Troon International quickly career advancements.” David Lunardelli, Course Superintendent David Lunardelli, many other Troon managed facilities in the Dana Garmany, Troon have grown established itself with the opening and Director of Agronomy & Operations – the property started a long line of career knowledge that hard work and persistence its company one client at a time management of properties such as the Australia/Asia/Pacific advancements. would open a world of opportunities. This by listening to and understanding Greg Norman designed Pelican Waters, was not as easily accessible to others in the the specific opportunities and Brookwater and The Glades in QLD, The Just like Troon North in Scottsdale Arizona, According to David, “Troon International’s industry that typically relied on senior staff challenges, then customising this Vintage in NSW and Settler Run VIC as well Troon’s first managed facility and flagship focus on local talent, training and promotion leaving at their own clubs or competing approach to achieve success. This as many other high-end facilities both in property, Brookwater Golf & Country Club from within allowed us to develop our own with the 100’s of other applicants for has been accomplished by providing Australia and abroad. in Queensland, quickly established itself talent pool adverse in Troon standards, local advertised positions.” a foundation comprised of the best amongst the best golf courses in Australia. cultures and flexibility to travel without the talent and resources in the industry “As this rapid growth progressed with Recognised for its fantastic service, design need for US based associates. At the time, Troon targeted these individuals with a and cultivating the creativity of more additional international properties opening and course conditioning, it quickly became Australians were seen as very hard working and preference for those who had already than 25,000 associates worldwide, in the UAE, Europe and Asia the need the benchmark and breeding ground being able to easily adapt, working well with completed internships through Mike servicing over 600 clubs. for well-trained professionals adverse for Troon’s expansion of up-and-coming local owners, staff and differing cultures.” O’Keefe’s Ohio State Internship program PacificHarbour Golf Course

30 /TROON INTERNATIONAL’S GLOBAL GROWTH TROON INTERNATIONAL’S GLOBAL GROWTH / 31 which proved valuable in preparing aspiring Deli Golf Club in India after 2 years as the Greenkeepers for international travel and assistant superintendent at Brookwater. experience having already worked at some Ben who hails from New Zealand where of America’s premier golf courses. he completed his traineeship at Cape Kidnappers has also travelled and worked in “Additional to this, we focused on trainees the UK at The Belfry and JCB G&CC which whose progression was fast tracked through will make his latest overseas appointment additional training and by working closely easier based on these prior experiences. with the qualified team and international Ben McLean seasonal interns travelling through Pictured – Ben McLean, Golf Course Australia who were constantly sharing their Superintendent at the New Deli Golf experiences gained working overseas” Club in India after 2 years as the assistant explained David. superintendent at Brookwater

Troon, while focusing heavily on training so “In the 2 short years I have been with its own standards are delivered consistently Troon as the Assistant Superintendent at to the highest standard, understands that Brookwater, Troon has not only provided an energized, career focused team creates me with the training required to become an environment that is beneficial to both the a superintendent but given me the individual and our facilities with the team confidence to accept this exciting challenge striving to be the best daily. This is not only at such a young age. Working daily with achieved by hiring the right individuals and my course superintendent Matt Legge implementing training programs but by and with the ongoing mentoring provided David Lunardelli continually creating new opportunities, so by David Lunardelli and the corporate career progression is real and witnessed team has proven that I am not only ready consistently throughout Troon managed of clubs. Joining countless other quality for this opportunity but will always have properties. professionals who are making their mark the Troon corporate team and my fellow in other areas of the turf and golf industry, superintendents to fall back on if needed. “Key to this is also creating an environment having contributed to the success of I strongly recommend that any aspiring where we don’t see all our senior managers Brookwater. golf course superintendent seek out an staying put at one facility too long as to opportunity to work with Troon, work hard block the system and progression for that “Firstly, Australia should be proud that and utilize all their training programs and underneath. This attrition normally happens many of the best golf courses in the resources and a world of opportunities will naturally with either Superintendents or world have Australian superintendents. quickly come your way.” Ben McLean said. Assistants regularly moving to take up We acknowledge that at Troon and the new opportunities seeing our trainees quality of talent who have come through Troon International has continued to expand or greenkeepers quickly progressing to Brookwater and our many other managed over the past 20 years with offices now either the positions of Spray or Irrigation Brookwater Golf & Country Club- Hero 13th hole facilities in Australia has allowed us to grow in Australia, Europe, Asia and the UAE Technicians prior to becoming an Assistant exponentially in the international market” currently managing over 40 facilities in 25 Superintendent” David continued. -Mark Chapleski, President of Troon countries. International. As an example, Brookwater in the past “Just as Troon North and Brookwater have 20 years has not only allowed David to “To now see Australians David Nicholls led the way for breeding our new leaders progress to Troon’s Director of Agronomy responsible for over 600 golf courses we now have facilities such as The Grove in for the region, but the likes of Geoff Bennell, globally as Troon’ President of Agronomy, England and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East Ben Geeson and Rob Weiks, all progressed David Lunardelli Director of Agronomy expanding the international team to now to the superintendent’s position after stints for Australasia and Canadian/Australian have superintendents representing Troon at the property as greenkeepers, either Robin Evans VP Agronomy & Construction from all nationalities” David explains. progressing through the ranks or returning Troon International having all had some after stints at other Troon managed facilities. part in Brookwater and establishing Pictured bottome left - David Lunardelli Additionally, James Gordon and Matt Legge Troon internationally is a testament to the Director of Agronomy & Operations – the current superintendent, both returned Australian Golf Industry.” Australia/Asia/Pacific to Australia to lead Brookwater after international postings with Troon. “I believe close to 20 superintendents Troon International’s Agronomy team have come through Brookwater alone is expertly represented by Robin Evans To date Marcus and Matt Hartup, Steve and I would guess this number would be (Middle East), Simon Doyle (Europe) and Harris, Clinton Southorn, Kelvin Nicholsen, pretty significant when you factor in all David Lunardelli (Australasia) who oversee all Brendan Handsard, Cameron Allen, the properties we have established and properties outside of the US. James Murphy, Eamonn McCarthy, Brett managed in Australia and abroad” Mark Merrell, Ryan Markwell, Darren Smith, Luke continued. If you’d like to know more about how Mortimer, Andy Kwapnioski, Ed Nangle, Troon’s agronomy team could help your Daniel Stack, Mark Ecott and Tim Cloninger The latest in the long list of graduates is Ben club, or you are interested in a career with have now all held superintendent positions McLean who is off to India to take a position Troon, please contact David Lunardelli at with Troon or outside the Troon family Mollymook Golf Club- 17th hole as Golf Course Superintendent at the New [email protected] for a chat.

32 /TROON INTERNATIONAL’S GLOBAL GROWTH TROON INTERNATIONAL’S GLOBAL GROWTH / 33 Ensuring Successful Sports Turf Specifications

Words By Matt Roche, Director Australian Sports Turf Consultants (ASTC)

BCC Moggill District Sports Complex

Whether it be a community sports to repurpose tired sporting fields and ASTC specializes in writing specifications field or elite playing surface, the maximize the use of existing sports fields for the subgrade, subsoil drainage, growing expectations of our natural turf sports and parkland. medium, turfing and consolidation. ASTC fields have never been higher. Helping calls upon their nominated independent to achieve a superior surface starts at Over the last decade ASTC has come irrigation consultants to assist with irrigation across some interesting sports field the design phase and writing definitive designs and specifications. These days a “specifications” where the requirements sports turf technical specifications. number of Council’s are also requesting for the subgrade, growing medium, turfing that a 12-month sports turf maintenance Australian Sports Turf Consultants (ASTC) and consolidation have been written on program be developed and included with has been engaged by stadium venues, a maximum 1 to 2 pages. This is fraught the construction of new sporting fields. This Councils, and community sporting clubs to with danger as it not only leaves the is to ensure a high standard is maintained provide design and sports field technical methodology up to interpretation but can after the conclusion of the 8- to 12-week specifications for the construction or leave a very grey area when things do not consolidation period post turfing. redevelopment of sports fields. In recent go to plan. It is important to determine the years, the demand has significantly clients’ expectations early on to ensure that It is important that Witness Points and Hold increased with access to sport and a sports field is appropriately constructed Points be clearly listed within the sports field recreation grants and Councils’ desire and is fit-for-purpose. technical specifications. This also

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS TURF CONSULTANTS / 35 includes pre-commencement testing to Brisbane City Council, Zillmere with TifTuf Nullarbor Couch during establishment be undertaken before any materials are to be delivered to site. This is to ensure that the materials being delivered meet the specifications and design intent.

A key component for a successful sports field build is the quality of turfgrass, not just the variety. Whether it be a newer variety like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda or an older variety like ‘Wintergreen Couch’, it is important that the quality of the turfgrass to be supplied for a project be high. Eight (8) key parameters “ for turfgrass selection and supply include: A KEY COMPONENT • That the turfgrass is to contain only the chosen genus, species and variety FOR A SUCCESSFUL name specified for the project. SPORTS FIELD BUILD • The turfgrass is to be supplied by a single turf farm and must be sourced IS THE QUALITY OF from a single block/paddock and be of ‘uniform’ appearance, age and quality. TURFGRASS, NOT JUST • The turf farm soil is preferably to have THE VARIETY. either a sand, loamy sand, sandy loam or sandy clay loam soil, or a turf ” washing option may be required. specifiers and consultants to deliver a • The turf must not have visible signs of high turf standard which contributes to a disease or insect stress, contain weeds project being delivered on time. ASTC also or undesirable grasses. undertakes third-party independent turf farm • The turf colour must be above inspections for AusGAP. acceptable (recommended rating of above 8 using Turf Colour Meter with Towards the end of a consolidation (grow the factory default Grass Index set) in) period ASTC also carries out a sports with discretion provided for seasonal field audit, similar to what they would do variation only. QSAC in Brisbane for a multi-use stadium or community sports • The turfgrass is to be sprayed with a turf field. The aim is to assess and report on registered insecticide to control lawn the turf health and quality and to provide grub and African Black Beetle prior recommendations to increase turf and to harvest. Written evidence is to be playing performance. It also provides a provided by the turf farm. timely opportunity to check on the small things, such as valve boxes, sprinkler heads, • The turfgrass is to be harvested, fencing, goal posts etc., to allow a smoother [washed if applicable], transported, handover of a field to the client at the end of picked up, handled and or “ the establishment period. mechanically maneuvered into position without damage; and TO ASSIST WITH Sports field auditing is something we • Broken, torn, uneven ends or turfgrass OBTAINING THE HIGH recommend to all our clients and we with undesirable large holes will not encourage them to undertake annual be acceptable. QUALITY TURFGRASS, benchmarking of their sports fields new or old. This provides them with the To assist with obtaining the high quality ASTC BELIEVES IN opportunity to track the performance of turfgrass, ASTC believes in independent INDEPENDENT TURF their asset and for ASTC to work alongside turf farm inspections being conducted. the ground manager or contractor to action This includes routine annual inspections FARM INSPECTIONS the appropriate recommendations to get for Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBR) protected the best out of the playing surface. grasses and Turf Farm Suitability and Turf BEING CONDUCTED. Farm Pre-Harvest inspections for sports field If you would like further information on projects. This is to ensure the turfgrass is ” sports field designs, technical specifications fit-for-purpose and meets that specified. A or auditing, please visit www.astcs.com.au program such as AusGAP is also designed or contact Matt Roche on to monitor turf quality and aid clients, [email protected]

36 /AUSTRALIAN SPORTS TURF CONSULTANTS AUSTRALIAN SPORTS TURF CONSULTANTS / 37 The Heart of Sport in Western Sydney

BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTSPARK SYDNEY (BISP)

The Grounds Team at work Baseball Diamonds from the air

Blacktown International Sportspark Blacktown Olympic Park. The park played professional goalkeeping development and team of 13 grounds staff, work around are aplenty and while advanced scheduling sports fields are couch grass surfaces with Sydney (BISP) is the self-proclaimed host to athletics, baseball and softball for and softball. The 60-hectare site offers the clock to keep BISP at the forefront of is desired, as the COVID recovery showed varieties including Conquest for the AFL/ sporting capital of Western Sydney. the games and over the past 21 years has an extensive array of perfectly manicured local, national and international athletes. us, it’s not always possible, but a first-class Cricket Centre, Greenlees Park for Athletics, Owned by Blacktown City Council continued to be a home for all 3 sports. single and multi-use sports fields which are There is never any down-time for this team outcome is always desired – and achieved. Santa Ana for Softball, Grand Prix and Since 2004, the park has undergone a maintained year-round. Agridark for the Western Sydney Wanderers and managed by Blacktown Venue who are always busy providing quality and transformation and welcomed AFL, cricket, safe playing fields across the whole year. Typically, field preparation for a major event Centre of Football and both Legend and Management Ltd, Blacktown football and elite sports coaching to the The team at BISP is led by Kevin Jones, begins approximately 10 days in advance – Greenlees Park on the Baseball fields. International Sportspark Sydney has family. To reflect its broader appeal the park CEO Blacktown Venue Management. Delivering the operational outcomes with everything from turf nutrition, regular continued to grow its reputation as an changed its name to Blacktown International With a highly skilled team of supporting required at BISP involves a high degree mowing, tracking of soil moisture and To improve irrigation, Blacktown City elite and all-inclusive multi-sport and Sportspark Sydney (BISP) in 2011. management and marketing it is the high- of commitment and passion for the tasks irrigation. This program ensures that the Council installed an extensive on-site community venue. quality of the sports fields that keeps sports at hand. team produce the best possible surface stormwater harvesting scheme that uses The Sportspark is a sporting hub that boasts coming back for more. At the head of the year-round for not only the elite athletes water sourced from the nearby Angus The venue was purpose-built for the Sydney first class sporting facilities for athletics, grounds team is the experienced Matthew Like any elite sports venue, state, national but also the grassroots. When it comes to Creek. This allows BISP to be self-sufficient 2000 Olympics under its original name - Australian rules, baseball, cricket, football, Cairns, who, alongside his 2IC Heath Taylor and international training and competitions the turf itself, the Sportspark’s vast array of in water usage and irrigate all fields using

38 /BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PARK SYDNEY BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PARK SYDNEY / 39 Blacktown Olympic Park during the Sydney 2000 Olympics The Grounds Team high-quality treated stormwater and limiting application of trace elements and amino sporting stakeholders at the park and the the amount of Sydney’s potable water acids to enhance soil health and condition. wider community,” added Matt. used onsite. Matt says “without a doubt BISP provides As if work at the Sportspark wasn’t already The Sportspark is also at the top of its game lots of challenges for us to maintain a high busy enough, the new International Centre when it comes to incorporating technology level of renovation and field maintenance. of Training Excellence (ICTE) will open in into the operation of the venue. This With a busy program of events all year-round, 2022 and will see the Sports Park further includes the new Turf Tank robotic marker scheduling the work is the most difficult.” enhance its reputation in the sporting where a sports field can be marked out in world. The ICTE will be a multisport high- under 45 minutes! “Having said that, it is also the most rewarding when a plan comes together. performance education, sports medicine If you love technology, then you will love Baseball fields and cricket wickets rate the and accelerated recovery facility and will the new Land HQ GPS controlled 1135L highest of all our turf grass surfaces when have a brand-new high-quality rectangular spray unit for nutrition and plant protection it comes to preparation requirements, but turf field and a new synthetic rectangular applications and the GPS controlled field with everyone in the team doing their bit, field. More outstanding green areas for the mower – both pieces of equipment working we get in and get the job done for our team to make their mark on! efficiently and effectively.

The nature of the Sportspark makes it hard Blacktown Olympic Park during the Sydney 2000 Olympics to choose a favourite field at the venue. It’s hard to go past the baseball diamonds, which has been the Australian Baseball’s premier facility since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The 3 baseball fields occupy an area of 3 hectares and are arranged in a triangular layout.

Each year the main baseball diamond undergoes a major renovation to ensure it is kept at the highest standard possible – attracting college teams from the USA and professional baseball from South Korea, as well as being the home of the Sydney Blue Sox ABL team. The annual renovation sees the grounds team repair the levels around the bases, laser level the diamond, rolling the diamond with a compact roller and also a complete re-build of the pitchers and home plates.

Work doesn’t stop there, with the turf in the diamond field mowed anywhere between 5 to 7 times a week in the growing season and 1 to 2 times in the cooler months. Turf nutrition is applied on a weekly basis in the growing season, which includes a comprehensive program of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium for all-round growth and health. It also includes the

40 /BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PARK SYDNEY Once in a Generation Financing

Mark O’Donoghue, Finlease Founder and CEO, speaks with Lawn Solutions Australia about how growing businesses can capitalise on the Federal Government’s unprecedented financial incentives.

In the October 6th, 2020 budget the government announced a number of incentive programs providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for private enterprise to seize the day, expand their businesses under the umbrella of very significant cashflow support provided by the government over the next 18 months and beyond.

“Circumstances have certainly been tough for a lot of industries and the recent floods have only helped to compound the problems for turf farms but overall the economic outlook is looking substantially more favourable,” he says.

Finlease, which was founded by O’Donoghue in the 1980s and has since grown into a team of 70, provides over $500 million in equipment finance each year.

“We arrange equipment finance for business owners all around the country, with many clients that have been with us for over 20 years,” O’Donoghue says.

“We finance everything from a single motor vehicle or piece of equipment, through to millions of dollars’ worth of machinery or property.”

Sourcing finance from a range of 20 capable and competitive institutions enables Finlease to spread loans across a number of lenders, ensuring business owners are not tied to just one bank that has them locked up with all securities.

“Equipment finance allows companies to spread a greater portion of the overall debt to a broader base of financiers, which

42 / FINLEASE AND YOUR GROWING BUSINESS FINLEASE AND YOUR GROWING BUSINESS / 43 means less exposure to their existing bank, expressing financial environments in O’Donoghue explains that while the greater competition between financiers ‘plain speak’, outlines a hypothetical financial eco-system can appear complex, to drive lower interest rates, often better example of how turf farms can capitalise on for businesses looking to capitalises on approval conditions and a broader base of these incentives. government incentives, planning ahead competitive lenders to assist in financing is critical. future growth,” O’Donoghue says. “Barry owns AAA Turf Pty Ltd, which has an annual turnover of $8 million,” he explains. He adds that it’s important to seek finance Forward thinking finance approvals early and even look to put “Over the years, Barry has bought many a finance limit in place if your planned Despite the challenges of 2020 and the trucks, harvesters & tractors as well as other equipment expenditure will be in excess more recent floods, O’Donoghue expresses support equipment, and has depreciated of $500,000 for the following 12 months. optimism about the current financial and all of those assets using the simplified These limits greatly streamline the business landscape. He adds that as COVID depreciation pool – claiming 30 per cent process and once in place, it’s simply transitions from a here and now reality into diminishing value depreciation each year. a matter of drawing down without any a historical fact, mainstream financers are The closing balance on this depreciation onerous paperwork. looking at the present and future landscape pool as of 30 June 2020 was $3 million. for clients when looking to approve finance. Finally, O’Donoghue suggests that “Despite the challenges of the COVID businesses work with professionals who “The combination of improving environment, AAA has had a busy year, specialise in equipment finance, as they employment numbers, significant resulting in a trading profit of $1 million for have the experience to negotiate the right government project spend and tax the year ended 30 June 2021.” outcome and have access to the broadest incentives, as well as the desire of lending market. Australians to emerge from the COVID According to O’Donoghue, this result hibernation, bodes well for 2021 and would usually have created a tax bill “We’ve built our business by looking after beyond,” O’Donoghue says. of $260,000, however under new tax clients long-term. We’re a small business incentives, Barry has an option to claim like our clients, and because we spend all While the Federal Budget’s support for 100 per cent full expensing of the entire day looking at companies, we understand businesses is far-reaching, O’Donoghue depreciation pool balance of $3 million, what they do and provide good advice and notes two key incentives. First, the October equalling the total written down value of all alternatives,” he says. The Two Industries of Turf 2020 budget enables businesses to the businesses equipment. deduct the full cost of eligible capital assets To advocate for its clients, Finlease will work acquired from 6 October 2020 and first “This one-off tax incentive allows AAA to with two or three of the various capable TURF AND THE RACETRACK used or installed by 30 June 2022. show an actual loss for tax purposes of $2 lenders, who will in effect be competing for million in 2021,” O’Donoghue says. their client’s business. Additionally, the government will allow eligible companies to carry back tax “Not only does this mean that AAA will “Then we’ll analyse what these lenders losses from the 2019-20, 2020-21- or not have to pay the $260,000 tax bill for are offering and recommend the best 2021-22-income years to offset previously 2021, but Barry will also be able to ‘carry outcome,” O’Donoghue says. taxed profits in 2018-19 or later years. back’ the $2 million tax loss on any tax AAA may have paid on profits for the prior two “The trick is to know when the terms are fair “These government incentives are once financial years. relative to what the market is offering, or in a generation – this is significant,” whether they need to be adjusted slightly. It O’Donoghue says. “As AAA did in fact make profits of $1 million may be as simple as wanting a longer term in both the 2019 and 2020 financial years, or a higher residual, or perhaps a lender is “If good profitable businesses are thinking the temporary loss carry back incentive insisting on a deposit when others would about expanding and undertake that provides the opportunity for the total tax approve 100 per cent finance.” expansion before the 30th of June 2022, paid of $550,000 for those two years to be the tax breaks they can obtain through the repaid as a refund once AAA has concluded “At our core, we’re committed to 100 per cent write-off are mind-bending.” their 2021 Tax Return,” he said. negotiating better outcomes for our clients and looking after them for the next 20 O’Donoghue, who is committed to Translation and advocacy years,” he said. Words by Bruce Stephens, Anco Seed and Turf Pty Ltd.

44 / FINLEASE AND YOUR GROWING BUSINESS FINLEASE AND YOURTURF AND GROWING THE RACETRACK BUSINESS / 45 A google Dictionary search for ‘turf’ The popularity of racing has significant These roles are spread over 387 race clubs shows the word has two meanings. economic benefits and Governments that race on Australia’s 307 racetracks. In The first being “grass and the surface recognise this significance to their States 2019 there were 2485 race meetings that layer of earth held together by its economies. For those not involved in the delivered $730,769,073.00 in prize money. roots” and the second “horse racing or industry the figures seem staggering. With that amount of money at stake it racecourses generally”. “Cup week” in Melbourne can be looked is little wonder that the industry and especially the racetracks are placed under On any given day in Australia the upon as a business. It benefits a plethora the microscope to such a degree by the thoroughbred and the grass racetracks of economic sectors including tourism, press and all who may gain from the prizes that they compete on are on show. They fashion, hospitality, accommodation and at stake. Add the punter to the equation are observed, analysed, and critiqued to retail. It creates jobs that would not exist and it is obvious that the racetrack needs to the nth degree by the media and all that without its continued popularity. perform at its optimum. are involved, in what is one of Australia’s In 2018 the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which largest industries for employment and is held over four days, delivered $447.6 The large sums of money at stake place the economic return. million in gross economic benefit to the racecourse managers under pressure to produce a track that races with little to The Windsor Richmond area can lay claim state of Victoria. zero bias and favours all runners equally to being the home of more turf farms and All four days of Melbourne Cup Week are where possible. companies than any other area in Australia. the most attended race days in Australia. It was in this same area that by 1805 a Most city tracks are considered to have a racecourse or race ground as it was then Tourism in particular benefits substantially certain life span despite regular renovation termed was operational. The Sydney from the Melbourne Cup. 20,308 overseas practices. They begin to show signs of track Gazette records a match race being held bias caused by varying thatch levels and on the race ground located in the Windsor consequent variation in surface drainage Richmond area on April 5, 1810 the same and moisture retention as the years roll on year that the first official race meeting in following their construction. If not managed Australia was held after Governor Macquarie “ well fast lanes can develop in the track gave his blessing for a race meeting to THE WORLD- favouring the horse that is running in that proceed. Ironically the Windsor Richmond section and as a consequence the track may area not only saw the first “Race Ground” in RENOWNED need a major overhaul. the country, but it is also home to Australia’s FLEMINGTON first commercial turf farm. The world-renowned Flemington RACECOURSE, Racecourse, headquarters of the Victoria The synergies between the horse racing Racing Club, held its first Race Meeting in and turf farming industries that exist today HEADQUARTERS OF 1840 and is home to the race that ‘stops a had commenced albeit in a geographical THE VICTORIA RACING nation’. Each year Australia watches over sense. These days those synergies are not its green expanse on the first Tuesday in just geographical as racetrack managers CLUB, HELD ITS FIRST November as the excitement of the famous and many in the turf farming industry work RACE MEETING IN 3200 metre handicap event, the Melbourne closely together. Cup produces yet another chapter in its rich 1840 AND IS HOME TO history book. Horse Racing is one of Australia’s largest and most popular industries and always has THE RACE THAT ‘STOPS Media scrutiny of the track starts in the week been. Take for instance the first official South A NATION’ prior to the carnival and the track manager Australian meeting held in January 1838. can be seen and heard regularly over a two- The population of South Australia at the time ” week period on TV screens and radio being was 2000 and such was the popularity of interviewed about what to expect from racing that 800 of the 2000 attended the “The Track”. meeting. Those same high percentages of visitors attended the Carnival in 2018 and Such was the scrutiny of the course proper population attending the races are echoed Using the going stick to rate the track they came from 31 different countries while at Flemington that the VRC Board in 2001 in the number of people who made the trip Cup week attracted 73,781 interstate visitors hatched a plan to reconstruct and to to Flemington to witness the running of the to Melbourne. develop a manageable track that would be 1880 Melbourne Cup. 100,000 attended sustainable well into the future. The track the 1880 edition of “The Cup” when In 2019, the racing industry contributed had changed very little from its original Melbourne’s population was only 290,000. $9.5 Billion to the National economy of state and needed a major reconstruction Racing has continued to be popular through which 51% was generated in regional to bring it into the new age. In 2006 the years including during the Great areas. 2019 statistics show the industry following the last day of the Spring Carnival Depression years of 1929-1933, albeit with directly provided 75,000 jobs with 160,000 a reconstruction of the track commenced. the attraction of the equine immortal Phar participants employed including 3042 Lap enhancing the numbers. trainers and 844 jockeys. The new construction involved stripping

46 / TURF AND THE RACETRACK TURF AND THE RACETRACK / 47 Mowing Flemington

Australia The tracks are repaired following each race meeting with divots replaced or repaired with sand and seed mixtures or plugs in the case of severe damage. In winter some tracks pre germinate the divot seed to aid in speeding up the germination and establishment rate. The practice of pre germinating seed for use in divot repairs was used successfully at Caulfield in the early 1980’s and is now commonplace.

Over the years the grass types and sward blends in Australian racetracks has changed the existing track back to its base via the wet Heavy 10. To measure these ratings a significantly. Although many rural tracks with use of a road profiler to a depth of 500mm penetrometer is used. low budgets may consist of a shotgun mix and establishing new levels including a of grasses that just pop up including native one-way cross fall. The subgrade base was The major Victorian tracks as well as some grasses and paspalum, the main grasses seen stabilised using lime and cement and this in Queensland now use an instrument called on Australian racetracks are kikuyu, ryegrass was followed by adding 25 kilometres of the Going Stick to get their track ratings. including perennial, annual and tetraploid drains that feed into a collector drain that in The Going Stick is an electronic instrument types, Kentucky Bluegrass and couch grass. turn is connected to a pumped stormwater that records penetration through the Tall fescue is also used in some tracks. system. 100mm of drainage gravel was amount of force required for the instrument then added and then 300mm of growing to penetrate the surface and shear ratings Lindsay Murphy who retired recently after medium (sand) spread over the drainage that are recorded by measuring the amount a lifetime in the industry and managing gravel. The growing medium was amended of force required to pull the Going Stick Sydney’s major racetracks is currently the with organics and race elements which back to a 45-degree angle. These two Chairman of the Racecourse Managers were incorporated into the top 100mm. measurements when combined give a Association of Australia. He recalls using This was followed by a final level and rolling measure of track firmness and the track ryegrass to oversow kikuyu in the Rosehill of the surface in preparation for the laying rating is then determined. Ratings are Racetrack at least thirty years ago. Ryegrass of turf. 125,000m2 of kikuyu turf oversown recorded automatically by the Going Stick is often used in the warmer states as a winter with Kentucky bluegrass and perennial and electronically sent back to a database. A cover for colour and winter growth in the ryegrass was grown and layed by Anco Turf track map profile is automatically produced kikuyu sward. Lindsay said “they had used in five stages. Anco managed the grow in and can be accessed by interested parties. many different types of ryegrass over the for a four-week period before handover to years as an oversow grass including the Racetracks undergo regular renovation the Victoria Racing Club. The track had its Perennial Nui and Tetilla way back when programs and major tracks are manicured first meeting on the new surface in August improved varieties were not available. to an extremely high standard year-round. 2007, five months after the last sod was laid Melbourne’s four city racetracks generally Currently there are several new racetrack leading into winter. mow at a height of around 100mm in length. projects underway involving grassing. The design was developed to produce even This is reduced to various lengths prior to Seymour Racetrack is currently being turfed running for horses across the entire surface renovation. Following the short mowing following a reskin/resurface and works and a so-called good track rating as much either solid or hollow tine coring takes should be completed soon. This comes as possible. place before topdressing with a matching on the back of works on the training track growing medium similar to or the same as at Cranbourne Turf Club involving grassing The scrupulous punter and the media the existing soil profile. Scarifying is also using kikuyu sourced locally. tipsters pour over what is known as the practiced when necessary. Fertilising and ‘Track Rating’. It is a scale that measures the seeding in the case of cool season grass From the Hawkesbury and its roots in firmness of the track and its ability to hold tracks then takes place. racing and turf growing to Flemington and together under racing. the modern racecourse, our turf growing These procedures are standard practice at industries continue to develop, innovate The new scale of track ratings is expressed Flemington and Caulfield racetracks and and find ways to improve the “grass and the as a Firm 1 or 2, a Good 3 or 4, Soft 5, 6, or take place following their Spring Carnivals surface layer of earth held together by its 7, and finally a Heavy 8, 9 or the extremely and at other stages of the year. roots” – the definition of turf.

48 / TURF AND THE RACETRACK AILA forum 2021 Brisbane Southbank

AILA forum 2021

On a typical hot and humid February “ found solutions that have eliminated the morning, 60 AILA and Parks and SOUTHBANK PARKLANDS need for turf replacement. Leisure Australia members and friends joined us for a picnic breakfast and a HAS UTILISED NEW AND The next stop on the tour was the extremely ‘behind the scenes’ tour discussing IMPROVED TURF VARIETIES popular River Green Playground, which 29 years of operation for Brisbane’s is arguably the most intensively used popular South Bank Parklands. AILA ACROSS MANY AREAS OF playground in Australia. Here, Shaun CEO, Ben Stockwin, kicked off the THE SITE and Ben Urban explored the topic of morning before handing over to Shaun playgrounds designed to perform and talked about maintenance & how it has Walsh, AILA Parks Forum founder and ” stood up over time. The final stop on former CEO of City Parklands. Shaun The conditions experienced in 10 years’ the tour examined the newly completed lead the tour, starting at River Quay time, will differ to that of today, and the turf 10-Year Anniversary ‘Into the Riverside Green space and Dan Kallis from Green. The River Quay Green Lawn selection needed to take this important Hassell was on hand to discuss the design is an area over 2,000sqm of flexible factor into consideration. and construction of the newest addition open space grass area for events and to South Bank Parklands. This project has Park’ at Southbank everyday activities like kicking a ball or Southbank Parklands has utilised new and been entered into the 2021 Queensland having a picnic. improved turf varieties across many areas of the site in order to address turf issues Landscape Architecture Awards. The talk focused on transitioning award- that existed with previous varieties. Issues Parklands winning design since its opening in 2012 such as shade and high levels of wear It was a great opportunity for members to into operational reality and managing the were ongoing problems that were leading network and walk through the parklands huge public demand for green lawn under to continual returfing requirements and and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS (AILA) PARKS large shady established trees. It is also intensive maintenance practices. Through attended. Thank you to our event partner, FORUM, 23 FEBRUARY 2021 important to consider in parklands such the use of grasses like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda Eureka Landscapes for supporting the event as this, that the existing plans for trees in high wear areas and Sir Grange Zoysia and our AILA corporate partners, such as Words by Melanie West, AILA QLD Chapter Manager and Shaun Walsh AILA and plants need also consider growth. in areas of high shade, the parklands have Lawn Solutions Australia, for attending.

50 / AUSTRALIAN INSITUTE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AUSTRALIAN INSITUTE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS / 51 Attracting First Class Events to the Moreton Bay Region

REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS RLFC – MORETON DAILY STADIUM

It’s all happening on the Redcliffe Stadium has been one of the best moves it has brought to all involved, as well as the cope with. Among the dozen A-League The Queensland Rugby League have also with the quality turf that we planted has Peninsula this year, particularly if you we have made, and it was a realisation of Moreton Bay community. matches, the venue was scheduled to embraced the venue, by locking in the helped us enormously”, said Cleal. are a sports fan. During the thick of why the stadium was built in the first place, host two NRL trials at the start of the 2021 Intrust Super Cup Grand Final day there for “The feedback from the Roar and the FFA Hot on the heels of becoming an A-League the Covid period in early 2020, the to attract first class events to the Moreton season. They are also heading into their the next 3 seasons. has always been very positive, the players home base for the Brisbane Roar, the Redcliffe Dolphins Club penned a Bay Region”. own rugby league season competing absolutely love the venue and in particular in the Queensland Rugby League Major “This amount of usage is probably more Redcliffe Dolphins announced an affiliation deal with the Brisbane Roar A-League The venue had dipped its toe in the water the heightened atmosphere that comes Competitions, where they control senior than some of the major stadiums around the with the Vodafone NZ Warriors Club. It’s an and W-League teams that would see with the round ball game being played from a crowd that are seated very close to teams from the state-wide Cyril Connell country at the moment, but we are enjoying affiliation that sees fringe NRL players swing soccer played on the hallowed rugby a couple of times in previous years by the field. The players love the TifTuf playing Cup (under 16’s) to the Intrust Super Cup. the challenges presented when running a back to the Dolphins to compete in the league ground from December 2020. hosting FFA Cup fixtures and the odd surface also”, Cleal added. This would usually mean hosting four senior multi-use venue. We also have some great Intrust Super Cup on a weekly basis. It is a Redcliffe Dolphins General Manager A-League match. But the Dolphins, Roar rugby league teams on a Saturday evening, support and advice from our suppliers in deal that will provide benefit to Junior Rugby of Football Operations Grant Cleal and Moreton Daily Stadium seem to be The right grass is paramount when you then turning out an A-League soccer pitch Lawn Solutions Australia and Twin View Turf League and game development in and said,“Having the Roar using Moreton Daily enjoying the partnership and the benefits imagine the traffic the playing area has to twelve hours later. to name just a few. Their guidance, along around the region in what was a big

52 / MORETON DAILY STADIUM MORETON DAILY STADIUM / 53 change for the Dolphins. The club had been a partner of the Brisbane Broncos for a decade helping to put the polish on players like Jake Turpin, Kotoni Staggs and Matt Lodge to name a few. They will now look to assist the Warriors in their pursuit of a maiden NRL title and quite possibly host a Warrior’s fixture or two along the way. It’s not hard to see commercial opportunities between New Zealand and the Moreton Bay Region opening up because of this new partnership.

As if they haven’t been busy enough, the Dolphins are making a play at becoming the 17th team in the NRL. Many consider this to be a very strong bid, which could see the Club successfully transition to the top grade.

“It’s been a goal for the club to play at the highest level possible for some time now and it would be a certainty that our facilities would be one of many advantages in the application process for an NRL franchise”, Cleal said.

54 / MORETON DAILY STADIUM MORETON DAILY STADIUM / 55 Images throughout this story - Marulan Cricket wicket install

The Marulan Cricket Club was “ With the limited wicket experience David established in 1866 and the 2020/21 had, he purchased the much-needed season saw the reforming of the first EVERYONE HAD A equipment with his own money including senior side for the club in over 8 years. a roller, cylinder mower and hand tools to The club currently run a Junior Blast HUGE SENSE OF undertake the maintenance work required. Program and are looking to welcome a ACCOMPLISHMENT Interestingly, a number of years ago the club few junior team’s next season. AND A NUMBER OF had a substantial quantity of rare Bulli wicket David Insley, Mt Broughton golf course NEW FRIENDSHIPS soil (as used on the SCG) they had intended greenkeeper, who lives just down the road to use for the project. Members of the and plays for the club, reached out to Sports HAVE BEEN FORMED. cricket club were notified of an overloaded Turf Association NSW (STA NSW) committee truck at the nearby weighbridge on the members for advice on improving the ” highway that needed to reduce its weight existing pitch. From this communication an before it continued on for delivery. This idea was formed to hold a trade event with club’s turf wicket block and sure up the future triggered a number of residents to load their wicket experts and sponsors to assist the of the reformed senior team and the club. utes and trucks from the parked-up semi’s club with replacing the old wicket block. trailer using shovels to help get it to the right The existing wicket block had become weight and so they could utilise the soil. This wasn’t going to be an easy task as both overrun with weeds, mixed turf and couch the club and wicket had been out of action varieties as well as a thick organic layer. This The story of how this came to be captivated Turf Community Unite for eight years and required a huge amount combined, contributed to a reduction in members of the STA NSW committee and of work to get things up to scratch. As Dave wicket hardness and stability, and in-turn they were determined to help the not-for- is a passionate cricketer with a love for the reduced the bounce of the ball rendering profit local club get the works completed. MARULAN CRICKET CLUBS NEW WICKET game, he was determined to reinstate the the wickets unplayable. On March 2nd this year, all of this planning

56 / MARULAN CRICKET CLUB MARULAN CRICKET CLUB / 57 Always choose certified turf.

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culminated in the Sports Turf Association of drum of herbicide to keep the wicket table NSW managing a full wicket reconstruction clean of weeds. for the club. Mick Sammut of Mikes Grassing The day attracted a number of participants Around will be supplying irrigation gear, to to help undertake the removal of the be installed at a later stage. existing dead turf and surface, leveling the surface and placement of the new turf. STA NSW Committee members - Daryl The wicket block was then watered with Davidson, Damien Curtis, Grant Thomas, the local Rural Fire Service truck giving Mick Sutton and Sophie Devine organised the new turf a deep soak later that evening. and participated in the day.

The day all happened thanks to the Everyone had a huge sense of unbelievable input of the following people accomplishment and a number of new friendships have been formed. There is even and businesses: talk of a yearly cricket match between the Ventrac Australia for removing the club and a STA NSW team to commemorate existing surface with the PowerRake and this new wicket reconstruction. PowerBroom, and also mowing and The installation of the TifTuf wicket block will aerating the outfield. provide a much-needed boost to the club’s MusTurf - MusTurf donated labour, facility so they can continue to build and machinery and supplied the 300m2 of provide the local community with the best washed TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda (Couch possible sporting surface. grass) for the wicket table. For Marulan Cricket Club this is just the Ground Solutions Australia provided the beginning of their TifTuf wicket experience outfield some attention with their recycled as they journey to getting senior and junior top dresser. teams back playing in their local competition and growing its club’s member base. Nuturf supplied wetting agent to help the turf establish. We look forward to seeing updates of this wicket grow in and wish Dave and the club Colin Campbell Chemicals supplied a all the best in their competition.

58 / MARULAN CRICKET CLUB For further information visit ausgap.com.au or call 1300 287 599