Hi all,
New to the site and joined up today. I'm from Sydney, Australia, 33 years old and married (no kids). Been involved in the turfgrass industry since 1991.
I finished my greenkeeping training and headed to the US in 1995 to work. After watching The Masters over the years I though that's how a golf course should look so I ended up in Florida at one of the many private country clubs in Palm Beach County, the 27 hole Delaire CC. After 6 months I realised that golf courses are not meant to be lots of lakes and perfect green grass, so I called up the Super at Shoal Creek, AL, Jim Simmons and asked for a job. Luckily he agreed, so I finished on Friday in Florida and drove the 12 hours up the Florida Turnpike in my little Nissan I bought for $800 over the Saturday/Sunday and started work at Shoal Creek Monday. Spent 12 months there and didn't want to leave. Got to realise one of my dreams while I was there and attended the 1996 Masters courtesy of the owner, Mr. Hall Thompson. Mr. Thompson, being a member at Augusta, made available one of his aircraft and flew over several staff each day for the tournament. I couldn't believe my luck when I was asked whether I wanted to go. Unfortunately it didn't turn out to be one of the greatest days in Australian golf history with Norman leading by 6 into Sunday, but is something I'll never forget. I've kept in touch with Jim over the years and am heading back next July to help out with the 2008 USGA Junior Amatuer.
Came back to Australia and worked at Laguna Quays including time as Assistant where we got it to the No. 1 resort course in Australia in 1998. Moved to Fiji to renovate the Sheraton resort course on Denarau Island before securing the Superintendent job from 1999 - 2001 at Klub Golf Rimba Irian in Indonesia, the Coore/Crenshaw course. I've sent Ran a couple of photos in one of my emails. The quality of the golf course really opened my eyes into how good these guys are. They remain today my favourite designers. The Rimba course is quite amazing given its location, you can see how remote it really is on Google Earth at 4 24'42.61S and 136 52'18.41E. I changed the fairways over to Zoysia to withstand our rainfall (30 feet in 2000) while I was there and it stands out fairly well defined now. Once I scan some of my photos I'll post them here. Hopefully C&C do something in Tasmania (fingers crossed).
Returned again to Australia and was Superintendent at The Brisbane Golf Club from 2001-2004. Did a Masters degree in turf while I was there through the University of Sydney and was the offered a Ph.D in breeding turf. I now have 3 months left to go on the Ph.D before finishing.
What next. Wouldn't have a clue. It will definately involve turf somewhere around the world, ideally an agronomy role of some sort. Love the classical architecture of the Golden Age and have a range of books on it, but enjoy the writings of Shackleford and Klein. Enjoy the new wave of work at the moment by C&C and Doak, play off a handicap of 5 although I don't seem to get out as much anymore.
Anyway, apologies for a long winded post. Lots of reading to do. Hope to be able to contribute on occasions.
Regards - Brett.