Course Update
It is an exciting time of the year where the presentation of the courses elevate rapidly and the playing surfaces truly reflect the synonymous conditions and playability of the Melbourne Sandbelt courses. It is also the period of time where the contrast between the fine turf and vegetation is evident and showcases our picturesque elite golfing facility.
The courses’ warm season turf areas (green surrounds, tees and fairways) are now in their new season’s growth phase. This can be visibly seen by the recovery occurring in the divot areas along with an increase in widespread growth. Our annual spring nutritional input program with a balanced NPK controlled release fertiliser will commence soon and further enhance turf recovery and elevate the presentation of the turf. All turf mowing heights are now at the spring/summer levels with normal maintenance practices returned. The course turf areas are all very well positioned to present at our expected high levels, as well as provide a strong and rapid recovery from the planned scarifying renovation of the South Course fairways in December.
A wide variety of our heathland plants continue to present very striking flower displays that complement the courses. Our vegetation areas also continue to provide important habitat for many and increasing fauna species.
Our member Spring Vegetation Course Walks will recommence in 2026 and will be undertaken biennially.
Delay in spray programming – The strong wind events throughout the past month/s have challenged several maintenance tasks, particularly our spraying programs that targets weed and undesirable plant and grass species in the fine turf and deeper rough areas. Bunker and wasteland maintenance has also been affected. These programs were placed on hold but have now recommenced with good progress and catch up being made. Details of these, and our other programs, can be seen below in the “Current and Future Maintenance Programs” section. We appreciate members’ understanding.
Rough Density Management – Our annual density reduction and weed control programs in the primary and secondary rough lines have commenced, albeit later than normal due to the excessive recent winds. The same high level of success achieved in recent years is again our goal and expectation. Extension of mowing lines in high play areas will once again form part of our rough management programs. See some examples in the below images:
Rainfall
Rainfall for the year to date continues to track well below the the 10 year average as seen on the below chart. 394mm (15.5 inches) has been recorded year to date in 2025. This is 178mm (7 inches) less than the corresponding period last year in 2024.
Future Turf Managers Initiative (FTMI)
The Australian Sports Turf Managers Association recognises the importance of preparing sports turf managers to continue personal and professional development in order to advance their careers and develop the capabilities for leadership positions.
The FTMI is a world-wide program developed and operated by Jacobsen, successfully delivering education to future leaders in the turf industry who aspire to be Superintendents, Ground Managers, Head Curators or hold a senior leadership position.
Together, the ASTMA and Jacobsen have been offering this highly successful training opportunity to Australian and New Zealand turf management staff since 2016. This year, our Course Foreman – Jordan Lucy applied and has been accepted into the program.
The 2026 FTMI will be a combined online learning and face to face education model taking place over five months.
The online modules commence in late 2025, culminating in an intensive live in 2.5 day (Sun – Tues) program including graduation ceremony in March 2026.
We congratulate Jordan on successfully being accepted into the program.
Current and Future Maintenance Programs
- Course golfing season preparation and presentation for Member/Guest events.
- Bunker/wasteland general maintenance, weed control and renovation programs (In-progress and ongoing).
- Greens scanning and selective hand-weeding program (November).
- Wintergrass (Poa annua) control/prevention program within warm season grass areas. (Programs to continue throughout November. (In-progress).
- Non-desired grass and weed control programs in bunkers, wastelands, roughs, vegetation and creek areas. (In-progress and ongoing).
- Rough density reduction and mowing line extension program. (In-progress and ongoing).
- Pre & Post emergent winter grass control program on green collars and interface areas. (July -November).
- Warm season couch grass encroachment control and prevention in green collars (Spring Program with 2 Treatments in Mid/Late November).
- Warm season grass nutritional program. (November/December).
- Fairway disease preventative treatment program commencement. (November/December)
- Vegetation maintenance programs that include selected slashing, ecological regenerative burns (e.g – 6N/10N), dead/hazardous tree removal, non indigenous tree suckers and woody weed removal (e.g. LHS 4N, RHS 16S, LHS 7N & 18N, Northern boundary fence line areas). (In progress and ongoing).
- Annual Drainage Program – A heavy sand top-dressing program to finetune the fairway surface post the recent drainage installation 9N & 17N. (Date – TBC).
- Clubhouse garden hedge replacement in selected areas. (Flagpole area next)
- Fairway Scarifying Program on South Course (Week commencing December 15).
Glenn Stuart
Director of Courses