I'm just back from a bit of a whirlwind trip to New Zealand and Australia and I've been told that if I don't post a bit about it here then it means I won't get credit for my work (just kidding...kinda!).
First part of the journey was spent at Cape Kidnappers with my visit linking up with Bruce Hepner's time there. The weather was rain, rain and more rain. Superintendent Paul Delaney and his staff have done what they can, but really they just need some good weather to keep moving. Holes that were grassed last year had a good strike except for the last few and they will catch up. Paul needs dry times to get the last couple fairways grassed and to lower heights of cut on fairways to condition them. I'll leave the speculation on opening dates to others...lots of talk and for certain what is ready to play will be obvious.
Went on to Tasmania and 3 weather filled days at Barnbougle Dunes. What an impressive peice of ground. Doak's routing is smashing. Brian Schnieder has done some amazing work at Tom's direction. Ashley Mead and all the guys from Mike Clayton's office have had a positive impact as well on a very tough site to coordinate. Irrigation was basically complete on three holes and the staff there was busy applying soil ammendments. Weather was the whole taco from nice and sunny to gale force winds to total downpour. Again, it's early spring there and that sort of weather is to be expected. They'll loose a few days not being able to do finish work, but that gives the irrigation crew a chance to stretch ahead. I liked the feel of the place and it is certain that everyone who gets a chance to play this gem will know they've been on something incredible.
Next stop was Melbourne where I was met and taken care of by John Sloan from Mike Clayton's office. We spent the first day with Mike looking over the St. Andrew's Beach Site and at the risk of repeating myself, again, this site was simply overwhelming. Great soils and spectacular in-situ natives.
Got a chance to look around the Mornington Peninsula with Mike and Bruce Grant. Saw The National and from my perspective it was a great example of what we don't want to do with grassing at St. Andrews Beach. From a total Turfhead perspective, one of the best parts of the trip was my tour around Portsea with Bruce Grant. His Claude Crockford influenced thinking is amazing and important to golf. Guys like this are rare and the spark in their eyes is something I hope the game never looses.
The next day was a Clayton Tour of the Sandbelt with stops at The Woodlands and Victoria. Ian Todd, the Superintendent at Victoria is simply an outstanding steward of a wonderful piece of property and again I was reminded that no matter where I am, a superintendent who "gets it" is easy to spot. For me the gleam in his eye was high point of my day--one of many. Well....maybe the second high point next to getting to see Royal Melbourne. Met up with Superintendent Jim Porter for a great tour and then Mike and I were left to our own. Our company became three when Paul Daley took time from his busy writing schedule to meet up with us and we walked the property. No pictures I have ever seen can do this property justice....I'd put it on the "must see" list for anyone.
Last stop of the day was to visit Kingston Heath. Course superintendent Marty Greenwood was just ending his day, but he was gracious with his time and took us on a quick ride. Mike and I let Marty go and we walked much of the property. Another smash hit, yet incredibly different from Royal Melbourne both in architecture and agronomy.
A great bit of work is cut out for Team Doak and Team Clayton on getting things right for the St. Andrews beach project. But I can't imagine a smarter bunch of guys to sort it out with. Between Sloan, Grant and Wilber if we can't get it right, I don't know who would. We also had good discussions on grassing and management of Barnbougle and from that should be an even better effort on taking that piece of property to necessary condition.
Good things are happening in Golf Down Under!!