The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast
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© Steve Smith
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The podcast to listen to if you want to know everything there is about Australian golf courses, greenkeeping and architecture so you can get more out of your game!
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Avondale Golf Club is celebrating 100 years in 2026! We pick up the story of Avondale Golf Club in 1949 after the club had approached Prosper Ellis, a leading amateur golfer and golf course architect of the time, to see if he could improve the unchanged Avondale golf course.From the 1970s to the 1990's the club would engage a number of different golf course architects, all of which were leading experts of the time. The 1990's also brought about a the Eastern Seaboard Fires that were devastating to Northern Sydney and Avondale was no exception.I'm also joined on the podcast by a number of people to help me tell the story of the club's most recent 25yrs. We explore from personal detail, how the club and course have evolved to produce a growing crop of young juniors for the club's future, and a highly regarded golf course and recognised environmental sanctuary of Sydney. Oh, yeah, and did I mention Grace Kim?!Join me as we continue our journey, but this time with a more personal insight, as we embark on part 2 of Avondale's history on the way to 2026 in celebration of 100yrs of Avondale Golf Club.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Avondale Golf ClubProsper Ellis - WikiEric Apperly - Top100golfcourses.comRiversdale Golf ClubSociety of Australian Golf Course ArchitectsVale Peter McMaugh - ASTMA ArticleKel Nagle - WikiRoss Watson - Planet Golf ArticleAudubon International1994 Eastern Seaboard Fires - WikiAvondale Cadet ProgramAvondale AmateurGrace Kim - WikiGrace Kim playoff win 2025 Amundi Evian Championship - YoutubeHarrison Endycott - WikiHarrison Endycott - PGA Tour profileAvondale Golf Club Superintendent Rob Biddle - Joint Claude Crockford Award Winner - ASTMA ArticleAustralian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA)Crafter + Mogford Golf StrategiesEP.93 Aussie Golf History Killara Golf Club
Avondale Golf Club is celebrating 100 years in 2026! Avondale Golf Club in Sydney began life during a boom of golf after WWI. Started by a group of well to do businessmen of the Upper North Shore, Avondale was one of many golf courses that were being hastily built during this time.Folklore has always held that the Avondale club was a frustrated breakaway of members from the nearby Killara Golf Club, but extensive new research into the origins of Avondale's story, not only showed folklore to be a fallacy, but also opened up an entire new understanding of Avondale's origins. A strong Scottish connection between the club's pioneers and the earliest golf experts at its beginning is arguably larger than any other in Australia. And when coupled with previously unknown information of Dan Soutar's involvement, you know there is a distinct recipe and drive for success!Part 1 of Avondale Golf Club's earliest history explores the extent of its Scottish background, exactly how this golf club would go on to choose one of the most inhospitable sites for a golf course in Sydney's unique bush landscape, and tell the story of its path to being Eric Apperly's first ever golf course design.Join me for an amazing journey through the life of one of Sydney's hidden treasures in a way never heard before, to a depth the club itself never knew they had!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Avondale Golf ClubSir Robert Gillespie - Australian Dictionary of BiographyDan Soutar - WikiDan Soutar's first article describing the site for the future Avondale Golf Club - The Sun (newspaper) 17th February 1925Eric Apperly - Top100golfcourses.comEric Apperly's lost pro shop architectural drawingsDame Joan Hammond - WikiKillara Golf ClubConcord Golf ClubManly Golf ClubGoulburn Golf ClubThe Australian Golf ClubThe Lakes Golf ClubEastlake Golf ClubPymble Golf ClubAustralian Golf Heritage SocietyEP.93 Aussie Golf History Killara Golf Club
Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by Dint Golf Solutions Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.au , and also by Envu and you can find out where to buy their products here.There's a little going on around Australia and New Zealand to begin 2026 and this is the right podcast to stay up to date with all of it. From a cyclone in QLD to bushfires in VIC, a new course soon to open in NZ and one soon to begin in QLD. It's all here for you to stay up to date and even consider just where your next golf trip will be.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - Instagram & FacebookEnvu - Instagram & FacebookMackay Golf ClubProserpine Golf ClubTropical Cyclone Koji - abc.net.auByelee Waters Golf ProjectGladstone Golf ClubGibbston Valley Golf Club - Golf Course ArchitectureFox Hills Golf ClubPenrith Golf ClubFlagstaff Hill Golf ClubCathedral Lodge & Golf ClubAlexandra Golf ClubLongwood Bushfire Victoria - news.com.auArm End Golf CourseArm End Golf Course - FacebookTitirangi Golf ClubWindross Farm Golf Course
Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest John Deere dealer at deere.com.auJock McPherson comes across as a humble kinda bloke. And when you find out that his greenkeeping career began in Tamworth, NSW, it kinda sounds about right too. But when you find out that he is currently Senior Assistant Superintendent at the one and only Congressional Country Club just outside Washington DC in the USA, you really want to know more!I'm not going to divulge his whole career in this caption needless to say that Jock's story is one you want to hear. Jock's career story includes both golf courses in Tamworth, the extremely private and famed Ellerston golf course, and a career changing melting pot of USA experiences thanks to the Ohio State Program. Jock may come across as somewhat calm and unassuming, but don't let that fool you, he has worked hard to carved out a greenkeeping career that many will find inspirational and even admire!Join Jock and I as we step through his wonderful career, from country NSW, all the way to the big smoke of Congressional just outside Washington DC, discussing the wide range of different weather conditions and diverse turf surfaces he has experienced in a relatively short time frame. This is one you will enjoy!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Congressional Country ClubCal Club (California Golf Club)Tamworth Golf ClubLongyard Golf CourseGreg Norman Golf Course DesignTamworth, NSW - WikiEllerstonBarnbougleThe Cliffs Kangaroo IslandEP.135 Steve's Ransom Special Guest - Mike O'KeeffeOhio State ProgramAustin Country ClubAustin, Texas - WikiMedinah Country ClubOCM Golf Course Design
Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by Dint Golf Solutions Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis segment has lots of news once again from all over Australia and little from New Zealand with a focus on smaller clubs and regional golf clubs. There's also a whole lot of detail that was recently released about the redevelopment of the public North Adelaide golf course in readiness to host LIV Adelaide in 2028 which I will go through with you at length.Join me for the very last podcast episode of 2025 before we fire things up in the new year!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - Instagram & FacebookCaloundra Golf ClubNedlands Golf ClubNorth Adelaide Public Golf CourseNorth Adelaide Public Golf Course Redevelopment DetailsGreg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD)Kooyonga Golf ClubWomen's Australian OpenMount Osmond Golf ClubBalgowlah Golf ClubPalm Beach Golf ClubMudgee Golf ClubYoung Golf ClubCobram Barooga Golf ClubMedway Golf ClubQueenscliff Golf ClubMidlands Golf ClubRiversdale Beach Golf ClubEP.117 Walking the Fairways - Adam MarchantEP.159 Keeper of the Greens - Adam MarchantEP.99 Keeper of the Greens - Jason Seis
Whilst it's called Steve's Random Special Guest, this episode brings back long time friend of the podcast, Nadeem Zreikat. This time however, Nadeem has a new title to add to his repertoire - board member of the International Turfgrass Society.Nadeem joins me to talk about not only his recent appointment as part of the International Turfgrass Society, but also we discuss just what the society of all about and what they do in the world of turf. Many of you may not have heard of them before, me included, and this was a great little chat to hear about the many benefits of their work and also how you can be involved to help improve yourself.And, with the recent news of the passing of Peter McMaugh, we finish off the podcast with a late inclusion of our own little tribute to Peter's life and work.Thank you to Avondale Golf Club for allowing us to record this podcast episode inside their wonderful clubhouse.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!You can contact Nadeem on these details below:Email - zreikat@campbellchemicals.com.auPhone - 0403 110 608LinkedIn - Nadeem ZreikatYou hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:International Turfgrass Society (ITS)Avondale Golf ClubBrett Morris - LinkedInWill Bowden - LinkedInBehind The Turf PodcastEP.39 Behind the Turf Podcast - Peter McMaugh Part A (Spotify)EP.40 Behind The Turf Podcast - Peter McMaugh Part B (Spotify)The R&A and Torgerson Gilbey - Golf Course 2030 ProjectASTMA article - Vale Peter McMaugh
Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest John Deere dealer at deere.com.auAdam Marchant has just overseen one of Australia's most significant golf course rebuilds! You wouldn't know it but Adam's current high level of responsibility as Royal Sydney Golf Club's Director of Grounds comes from humble beginnings in regional NSW.Adam grew up in the NSW country town of Mudgee. Well known as a wine region, Mudgee couldn't be more removed from the hustle and bustle of Sydney and the high profile Royal Sydney Golf Club. For a time, Adam's father was a trainee professional golfer at the local Mudgee Golf Club where Adam would frequent as a kid and learned the game of golf. Adam would also get his first taste of greenkeeping at Mudgee GC doing school work experience on course for a couple of weeks. And it was from here that Adam realised what he wanted to do.Although his first employment began as an apprentice greenkeeper at one of Mudgee's bowling clubs, Adam had the opportunity to visit Royal Sydney Golf Club in his early years of learning the trade. This lit a fire in Adam and he soon chased for a chance to work as an apprentice greenkeeper at a golf course, Royal Sydney no less. And it is from this beginning that Adam has climbed from the bottom to the very top of maintaining the golf course at Royal Sydney!I'm not going to give it all away here needless to say that Adam's story is one of perserverance, dedication, achieving goals and staying humble. He has achieved so much at such a revered golf club, along with recently working with one of the world's most renowned golf course architects in Gil Hanse for one of Australia's most significant golf course transformations.Join Adam and I as we step through his amazing greenkeeping career all the way to today as Director of Grounds, experiencing and managing an incredible facility of not just golf, but world class turf surfaces of bowls, tennis, and croquet (funny story in this episode)!I couldn't think of a better way to cap of an amazing 2025 than to have the opportunity to share this unique conversation with Adam, from one of the world's most amazing greenkeeping office's, at one of Australia's most well known and historically significant golf club's.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Royal Sydney Golf ClubHanse Golf Course DesignMudgee Golf ClubClub Mudgee (Bowling Club)Mudgee - WikiRoss Watson - Planet GolfCroquet Australia - Eire Cup2011 Davis Cup Tie at Royal SydneyAll England Lawn Tennis Club - WimbledonHarley Kruse - Kruse GolfEP.99 Keeper of the Greens - Jason Seis
Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by Dint Golf Solutions Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis is a slightly different Walking the Fairways. There's the usual news from around Australia and New Zealand including the brand new ISPS Handa Japan Australasia Championship to be held at Royal Auckland & Grange GC, Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast is set to lose 9 of it's 27 holes, and Aston Hills Golf Club is doing some work to rebuild their practice facilities. I also provide you with some of my own experience from the men's Australian Open at Royal Melbourne where I was down there to record an upcoming behind the scenes podcast series and some videos with Beschen Pou about what it takes to prepare and deliver RM's Composite Course for the tournament. This was an incredibly exciting experience and I can't wait to bring it to you, but i will give a little taste of just what it was like within the team for the 4 days I was recording for.Hope you enjoy this episode as we get a little close towards the end of 2025.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - Instagram & FacebookRoyal Melbourne Golf ClubISPS Handa Japan Australasia Championship - Golf Australia MagazineRoyal Auckland & Grange Golf ClubHumpty Doo Golf ClubRACV Royal Pines ResortRoyal Fremantle Golf ClubGlenelg Golf ClubRyan Van Der VeenCrafter + Mogford Golf StrategiesAston Hills Golf ClubNewcastle Golf ClubHarrison Golf7 Mile Beach Golf CourseClayton DeVries & Pont (CDP)Rockingham Golf ClubEP.95 Keeper of the Greens - Richard Forsyth (Royal Melbourne Golf Club)EP.75 Keeper of the Greens - Tim Warren (Glenelg Golf Club)EP.69 Sustainable Golf - Monina Gilbey (Glenelg Golf Club)EP.121 The Design Brief - Ryan Van Der Veen (Van Der Veen Designs)EP.84 The Board Room - Mat Goggin (7 Mile Beach Golf Course)
Here is a convo that I'm sure you are going to enjoy! I chat with Mike Clayton from Clayton DeVries & Pont and member of the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects.Mike has been in the golf industry for a long time in various forms. From playing professionally and competing at the highest level, to writing, to designing golf courses. Known for speaking his mind and how he sees things, I felt it was high time I invited Mike on for a chat.We discuss many different topics, some of which include how he first got into golf course architecture as a profession, his past design work, and the relationship between architecture and greenkeeping to name just a few. Needless to say that I was packing it at the thought of speaking with someone of Mike's calibre. Nevertheless, we had a laugh from time to time as we discussed things that hopefully you haven't heard anywhere else before. Sit back, load up your favourite beverage, and make sure your ears and eyes are set to open!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Too many to list but here goes....Clayton DeVries & PontClayton GolfMike Clayton - WikiSociety of Australian Golf Course Architects (SAGCA)BarnbougleRanfurlie Golf ClubVictoria Golf ClubRoyal Queensland Golf ClubThe National Golf ClubCape Wickham Golf LinksClaude Crockford - Royal Melbourne Golf ClubKingston Beach Golf ClubThe Vines ResortPalm Meadows Golf CourseMorfontaine GolfSwinley Forest Golf ClubNational Golf Links of AmericaRACV Healesville Country Club & ResortRosebud Country ClubGreen Acres Golf Club13th Beach Golf Links7 Mile Beach Golf CourseLake Karrinyup Country ClubTerrey Hills Golf and Country ClubPeter Fowler - WikiWoodlands Golf ClubMetropolitan Golf ClubRoyal Melbourne Golf ClubKingston Heath Golf ClubSt Andrews Beach Golf CoursePeter Thomson - WikiSeve Ballesteros - WikiGolf.com 2025 World Top 100Spirit of St Andrews - Alister MacKenzie (Evalu18.com)Golf Architecture for Normal People - Geoff ShacklefordAnatomy of a Golf Course - Tom Doak (Evalu18.com)Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf ClubKruse Golf - Harley KruseClub CatalinaNarooma Golf ClubRoyal Perth Golf ClubMount Lawley Golf ClubOCM DesignGosnells Golf ClubTom DoakLancelin Golf Club - FacebookYering Meadows Golf ClubCapital Golf ClubMoonah Links ResortThe Dunes Golf LinksPortsea Golf ClubSorrento Golf ClubPort Fairy Golf LinksRoyal Hobart Golf ClubElanora Country ClubKew Golf ClubRoyal Sydney Golf ClubHanse Golf Course DesignEP.84 The Board Room - Mat Goggin (7 Mile Beach Golf Course)EP.118 The Design Brief - Rob Collins (King Collins Dormer)EP.78 Keeper of the Greens - John Mann (Metropolitan Golf Club)EP.156 Keeper of the Greens - John Spraggs (Royal Wellington Golf Club)EP.95 Keeper of the Greens - Richard Forsyth (Royal Melbourne Golf Club)EP.101 Keeper of the Greens - Glenn Stuart (Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club)
Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest John Deere dealer at deere.com.auJohn Spraggs is a born and bred New Zealander and it gives e great pleasure to have John as my very first New Zealand interview on John Deere Keeper of the Greens.John is Course Manager of Royal Wellington Golf Club in the southern part of New Zealand's North Island. John grew up on the family dairy farm. Although he worked on the farm, it wasn't going to be his long term career. He found an opportunity as an apprentice greenkeeper and took it with both hands. Thoroughly enjoying his time learning the greenkeeping trade, it wasn't long before John knew it was managing a golf course that he really wanted to do. Early in John's career he became Superintendent and it was from here that he started to make his mark on New Zealand's greenkeeping industry. After working at a number of courses as Superintendent John took on the superintendents role at Mount Maunganui Golf Club in Tauranga where the club would host the NZ PGA Championship in 1985 that would be won by Frank Nobilo.Following a number of years at Mount Maunganui Golf Club, John made the move back to Wellington at Hutt Golf Club before he would accept the role leading the team on course at Royal Wellington where he has now been for the past 20 years!This is a wonderful conversation encompassing a long and established greenkeeping career and a number of New Zealand golf courses that I'm sure you will enjoy listening to!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Royal Wellington Golf ClubParaparaumu Beach Golf ClubManawatu Golf ClubWanganui Golf ClubPirongia Golf ClubHamilton Golf Club - St Andrews CourseManly Sea Eagles rugby league teamWestown Golf ClubMount Maunganui Golf ClubNZ PGA ChampionshipFrank Nobilo wikiBoulcott's Farm Golf Club (Merged with Hutt GC)Scott Macpherson Golf DesignGreg TurnerCape Kidnappers Golf CourseTe Arai LinksGEO Foundation Sustainable GolfWomen's Amateur Asia Pacific ChampionshipAsia Pacific Amateur ChampionshipAsia Pacific Golf ConfederationUSGA GS3 BallWairakei Golf & SanctuaryKinloch Golf ClubEP.127 Keeper of the Greens - Mark SpraggsEP.135 Steve's Random Special Guest - Mike O'Keeffe
This is something a bit different. I don't often like to give my opinion on things but with the Australian Open on this week held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, I felt it was time to talk about the men's Australian Open.On this episode of the podcast I raise the question of why doesn't the men's Australian Open move around Australia? It's been locked up between Sydney and Melbourne for the best part of 50 yrs (with 2 exceptions in 1998 and 2001) and no one seems to think there's anything wrong with that. Well I do!On top of my idea for the next 20yrs of men's Australian Open courses, I ignite the same argument with the men's Australian PGA Championship with it being locked up in Queensland, and I also talk about the idea of bringing back the Australian Masters. There's also something more given that golf is back to being an incredibly popular spectator sport in Australia, I also raise the idea of something that's been asleep for a long time - The Australian Match Play Championship. I think there's arguably an appetite for it too.Join me as I explore the idea of these tournaments being different to what they are today and even bringing some back, along with my ideas of just where to host them. You might think I'm mad, you might think I'm crazy, maybe you might even agree with me on some points, but at the end of this podcast, I ultimately want you thinking about how can we make these tournaments better still.Oh and if you're interested, get in now and book your place by clicking here for the John Deere Technology Demonstration Event & Operations Centre Mini Clinic on 10th December 2025You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Australia Open wikiRoyal Melbourne Golf ClubKingston Heath Golf ClubLake Karrinyup Country ClubRoyal Sydney Golf Club7 Mile BeachThe Grand Golf ClubPeninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club (PK)Royal Adelaide Golf ClubRoyal Canberra Golf ClubNSW Golf ClubDarwin Golf ClubMetropolitan Golf ClubLinks Kennedy Bay Golf CourseRoyal Queensland Golf ClubKooyonga Golf ClubRoyal Hobart Golf ClubVictoria Golf ClubThe Lakes Golf ClubRACV Royal PinesTerrey Hills Golf and Country ClubJoondalup ResortPalmerston Golf ClubHuntingdale Golf ClubCommonwealth Golf ClubYarra Yarra Golf ClubThe National Golf Club - Long Island CourseWoodlands Golf ClubMoonah Links - Open CourseBonville Golf ResortHope Island Golf CourseMount Lawley Golf ClubGlenelg Golf ClubBarwon Heads Golf ClubMaroochy River Golf ClubMagenta Shores Golf & Country ClubGold Creek Country ClubSt Andrews Beach Golf Course
Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest John Deere dealer at deere.com.auScott Armstrong has been around a long time as you'll soon hear. Scott began his greenkeeping career not long out of year 10 at school on Sydney's Northern Beaches in an era when it wasn't unrealistic to wear thongs and no shirt working in the hot summer sun out on course. Yes, this is Australia! Scott had the privilege of learning and working under some of, not only Sydney's, but Australia's leading greenkeeping professionals. After a long start to his career at Manly Golf Club under people such as John Odell, it was soon time to take the reigns for himself and he landed the superintendent's role at Mona Vale Golf Club, still on the Northern Beaches.Scott spent a number of years working on course before things would take a turn through some challenging times with committee members and he decided it was time to move away from Mona Vale and working directly with turf. Scott took on a role as a sales rep for an industry company which he would continue for many years learning lots of different things from "the other side". Eventually falling out of favour with the sales side of the industry Scott gravitated back to working hands on with turf but it was a bumpy ride before an opportunity presented itself to be a greenkeeper at Hamilton Island Golf Club in the Whitsundays of North Queensland.This chat has everything and them some in it. I went to Hamilton Island to sit down with Scott for this chat and he doesn't disappoint. We talk about everything from long lost types of machinery, reminisce about old colleagues and peers, discuss what it means to be a team on course, and then there's the travelling around the world for golf, a brush with Clint Eastwood working at Congressional for the US Open, and of course an insight into Hamilton Island Golf Club and the challenges of the current weather conditions. This is a wild and fun ride so get your six point racing harness on and strap in!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Hamilton Island Golf ClubManly Golf ClubMona Vale Golf ClubTerrey Hills Golf and Country ClubSussex Inlet Golf ClubMollymook Golf ClubCongressional Country ClubCypress Point Club - Monterey Peninsula GolfPebble Beach Golf LinksPasatiempo Golf ClubDr. Alister MacKenzie - The Alister MacKenzie SocietyMarion Hollins - Marion Hollins Memorial ProjectSt Andrews LinksRoyal Troon Golf ClubCarnoustie Golf LinksBarnbougleEP.63 Keeper of the Greens - Brad HoleEP.70 Keeper of the Greens - Pat WilsonEP.127 Keeper of the Greens - Mark SpraggsEP.135 Steve's Random Special Guest - Mike O'Keeffe (Ohio State Program)
Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by Dint Golf Solutions Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis segment of Walking the Fairways sees me joined on the podcast by Superintendent Scott McComas of Noosa Golf Club on QLD's Sunshine Coast. Scott jumps on the podcast to give us an update of the work that they have been moving through on course resurfacing their greens with new TifEagle couch along with the continued introduction of Zoysia to their green surrounds and tee surfaces. Their bunker reconstruction work is also on song including new synthetic turf edging and new bunker liner for improved drainage.There's also lots of news with awards being presented in NSW and SA, I've got an update of the new work that's being smashed out at Royal Perth Golf Club, Humpty Doo Golf Club in the NT has some new areas of the course being rebuilt, Dysart Golf Club in regional QLD has completed some irrigation work, Eastern Golf Club in Melbourne has opened their new clubhouse, Newcastle Golf Club is head long into their new course design works with Harrison Golf, a couple of golf clubs in NZ are investing in their machinery to continue to improve the quality of their respective courses, The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is getting closer to opening, and there's a snippet of news from Arm End in Hobart.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - Instagram & FacebookRoyal Melbourne Golf ClubMen's Australian OpenNoosa Golf ClubKwinana Golf ClubHarvey Golf ClubRoyal Perth Golf ClubKruse GolfCDP Golf (Clayton DeVries & Pont)Humpty Doo Golf ClubIndooroopilly Golf ClubRoyal Queensland Golf ClubOCM DesignMount Coolum Golf ClubBundaberg Golf ClubNSWGCSANSW GolfMerewether Golf ClubNewcastle Golf ClubHarrison GolfTirau Golf ClubRoyal Auckland Golf ClubArm End Golf CourseLaunceston Golf ClubNorth West Bay Golf ClubSpring Valley Golf ClubEastern Golf ClubBay Views Golf CourseTMSA (Turf Management South Australia)The Cliffs Kangaroo Island
Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest John Deere dealer at deere.com.auBailey Wake is Superintendent of Highercombe Golf Club, just outside metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. He's a young man with a passion for grass that he always knew he had but never knew he could follow it as a career.You're about to hear the story of a greenkeeper where the career found the person and not the other way around! Bailey never knew greenkeeping was a job let alone a career. He enjoyed playing football and being outside but looking after grass, on a golf course?! What was that! After all, he had never even swung a golf club until he finished school.The golf bug grabbed Bailey after just one outing at a driving range. The next time out, he and some friends upgraded to playing on a golf course for the first time, and that golf course happened to be Highercombe Golf Club. Days later Bailey received a call from a family friend saying that there was a job available as an apprentice greenkeeper at Highercombe. And the rest they say is history.Come along for a ride of a different kind as Bailey lets us in on the details of his career as a greenkeeper and shares some great insights into the mind of a young person looking for work after finishing school. He also gives us some inside info of the course at Highercombe and just why it's time you played a round of golf there again.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Highercombe Golf ClubTea Tree Gully Golf ClubMount Osmond Golf ClubThe Grange Golf ClubGlenelg Golf ClubRoyal Adelaide Golf ClubKooyonga Golf ClubThe Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA)
Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by Dint Golf Solutions Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auIn this special segment of Walking the Fairways I have the privilege of chatting with Director of Course of Royal Melbourne Golf Club - Richard Forsyth. Richard gives us a full insight into just how the course has been coming along this season only 5 weeks out from the nation's biggest tournament! We talk about all the turf surfaces, turf challenges, expectations, and weather, along with many of the finer details that go into creating a true Royal Melbourne experience for the tournament.If you want to hear first hand exactly how the course is being prepared and know just what to expect for the tournament, then this is the podcast for you! Sit back and enjoy as Richard takes us around the composite course of the amazing Royal Melbourne Golf Club so close to round one of the men's Australian Open. You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - Instagram & FacebookRoyal Melbourne Golf ClubMen's Australia Open 2025EP.95 Keeper of the Greens - Richard ForsythMetropolitan Golf Club
Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest John Deere dealer at deere.com.auRighto, it's time for a deep dive for the turf nerds out there, or anyone who is interested in learning more about specific turf on a golf course.If you've ever wondered just how much thinking goes into preparing a golf course and it's turf surfaces, then this is very much the episode for you!I venture out to Duntryleague GC in Orange NSW to catch up with Superintendent Craig Geeve who generously gives us a deep insight into his maintenance practices of the unique turf surfaces of Duntryleague GC, including Poa annua putting greens and South African couch (Cyndodon tranvaalensis) fairways. There's lots of details in this one and lots of general conversation, discussion, questions, and personal insights from both of us.If you really want to go full turf nerd, join Craig and I out on course as this episode might just hit all the right notes and maybe even have you asking more questions afterwards. And that's how we like it. You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Duntryleague Golf ClubEP.145 Keeper of the Greens - Craig Geeve
Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest John Deere dealer at deere.com.auDion Cope is Superintendent of Redland Bay Golf Club in south east Brisbane in Queensland. He has had a long fruitful career in greenkeeping to get to where he is today which includes a number of years working in Asia.From first mowing a green at the age of 10, Dion was exposed to the trade of greenkeeping through his father. Growing up around greenkeeping didn't mean it would be Dion's chosen field, turns out he had a second significant vocation, rugby league! Dion received a contract through the Cronulla Sharks rugby league team in his early years, and through that, he was also able to work as a greenkeeper at the local Cronulla Golf Club. Dion eventually left the greenkeeping industry to pursue a career in rugby league for a while before a return to the industry at Ashgrove Golf Club in Brisbane. It was from here, and on the eve of being married, that Dion would get an opportunity to manage the large 54 hole golf facility of Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort in Malaysia. A number of years, a couple of clubs, and two children later, Dion and his family were to move back to Australia. Dion went through a few different work places in Australia before arriving and leading the team as Superintendent at Redland Bay Golf Club. He and the course team have been working through a greens replacement program to TifEagle putting surfaces as the club continues to improve the quality of their golf offering.Join Dion and myself for this sizable yarn into the depths of Redland Bay Golf Club, his greenkeeping career, the ups and downs of life, his structured and methodical approach to golf course management, and just listening to a great person from two fantastic industries greenkeeping and football!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Redland Bay Golf ClubCraigieburn - Wilmott Golf ClubOcean Shores Country ClubMeadowbrook Golf ClubRiverlakes Golf ClubCronulla SharksAndrew Ettingshausen (ET) - WikiCronulla Golf ClubRoyal Pines ResortAshgrove Golf ClubTunjong Puteri Golf ResortISO 9001Glenmarie Golf & Country ClubEP.44 Keeper of the Greens - Mick PascoeMt Warren Park Golf Club
Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by Dint Golf Solutions Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis segment of Walking the Fairways has double the impact with two Andrew's joining me on the podcast to give you updates from deep within their respective golf courses. Andrew Anderson, Superintendent of Ranfurlie Golf Club, jumps on to give you and update about some new course work that began this week with the supervision of architects CDP. And I have a chat on site with Andrew Hamill, Superintendent of Blackheath Golf Club, when I visit the course to see just what they're up to with some new construction and to see how everything is looking leading up to their big Pro-Am tournament that will be held at the end of the week!There's also other information from around the country including the newly redesigned Mt Lawley GC standing up to the pro's for the WA Open and some state award winners from both the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland (GCSAQ) and Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association (VGCSA).You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - Instagram & Facebook7 Mile Beach GolfEP.84 The Board Room - Mat GogginRanfurlie Golf ClubClayton DeVries Pont (CDP)VGCSAWangaratta Golf ClubPatterson River Golf ClubFlinders Golf ClubHoles in the Ground Golf Course ArchitectureYowani Country ClubContour Golf DesignBlackheath Golf & Community ClubEP.88 Keeper of the Greens - Matthew BaileyNambucca Heads Island Golf ClubStonecutters Ridge Golf ClubKooyonga Golf ClubLoxton Golf ClubMount Lawley Golf ClubEP.139 Keeper of the Greens - Rod TattHarvey Golf ClubEP.147 Keeper of the Greens - Kasey WilliamsGCSAQRedland Bay Golf ClubMaleny Golf ClubEP.137 Keeper of the Greens - Nik Smith
Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest John Deere dealer at deere.com.auKasey Williams is about as passionate a young greenkeeper as you'll come across. A native of Busselton in WA, Kasey wasn't sure just what she wanted to do when she finished school. She came across a local ad for an apprentice greenkeeper and knew that she enjoyed being outside and was already working casually at the local hockey club. She took the plunge into a career that both she and her school friends knew nothing about. And she was hooked.Learning her craft under Superintendent Lance Knox, Kasey's passion grew and grew. She was soon on a plane to the east coast of Australia to be part of the Women in Turf Program supported by John Deere Golf at Cobram Barooga Golf Club in NSW. Following that she took the next step in applying to be a volunteer at the 2023 Australian Open in Melbourne. To her surprise she was accepted by Kingston Heath Golf Club and was again on a plane, but this time to Melbourne for the biggest tournament in Australia!Having completed her apprenticeship at Busselton Golf Club, Kasey is now a fully qualified greenkeeper and has recently accepted a role and made the move to Harvey Golf Club, also in Western Australia.Join Kasey and I as we chat about her career, her passion for turf and golf, where she wants to go in her career, and a whole lot more (including tea) from the south western corner of WA.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Harvey Golf ClubBusselton Golf ClubDilmah Tea - WikiEP.65 Keeper of the Greens - Lance KnoxBoolbardie Country Club Golf CourseSecret Harbour Golf LinksCobram Barooga Golf ClubWomen in Turf ProgramWembley Golf CourseKingston Heath Golf ClubASTMAGCSAWA
Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by Dint Golf Solutions Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis segment of Walking the Fairways has information coming from Australia and New Zealand including Kooringal Golf Club in Victoria, Cumberland GC and Newcastle GC in NSW, and Royal Queensland in QLD to name a few. I'm also joined on this segment by Superintendent Nathan Bennett of Royal Adelaide GC in South Australia and I've discovered some info about another new course that is soon to be built in New Zealand.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!The Golfing Greenkeeper - InstagramThe Golfing Greenkeeper - FacebookThe Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTubeSend me an email to - thegolfinggreenkeeper@gmail.comPeople and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - Instagram & FacebookRoyal Adelaide Golf ClubKooringal Golf ClubCrafter + Mogford Golf StrategiesKew Golf ClubEast Geelong Golf ClubCarnarvon Golf ClubCamden Golf ClubEastlake Golf ClubCumberland Golf ClubHarrison GolfPort Kembla Golf ClubNewcastle Golf ClubGlenelg Golf ClubAston Hills Golf ClubIndooroopilly Golf ClubSouthport Golf ClubRoyal Queensland Golf ClubOCM DesignWindross Farm Golf CourseDouglas LinksHamish Edwards on Douglas LinksRBT DesignsBendigo Golf ClubRACV Healesville Country Club & Resort
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