BGC’s Alex Blakey Selected for Prestigious Future Turf Managers’ Initiative

The Brisbane Golf Club is proud to announce that our Assistant Course Superintendent, Alex Blakey, has been selected to participate in the 2025–26 Future Turf Managers’ Initiative (FTMI) a world-renowned program designed to develop the next generation of leaders in the turf management industry.

The FTMI, delivered by the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) in partnership with Jacobsen and supported by the New Zealand Golf Course Superintendents Association (NZGCSA), provides high-level education and mentoring for emerging turf professionals aspiring to become course superintendents, ground managers, head curators, or senior leaders in the field.

Since its introduction to Australia at the 2016 Melbourne conference, the program has seen more than 200 graduates progress through its ranks. The 2025–26 program will be delivered through a five-month hybrid model, beginning with online learning in November before culminating in a face-to-face workshop and graduation ceremony in Melbourne next March.

This year’s FTMI cohort represents a wide range of turf management disciplines — from golf and racing to cricket and major sports venues like the MCC. Participants hail from some of Australia and New Zealand’s most prestigious golf courses, including Kingston Heath Golf Club, Barwon Heads Golf Club, The Hills and Te Arai Links.

Geoff Kuehner, CEO of The Brisbane Golf Club, congratulated Alex on his achievement, saying:

“Alex is a fantastic Assistant Course Superintendent and an invaluable member of our team. His selection for the Future Turf Managers’ Initiative is a testament to his passion for continuous improvement,’ he said

“The course will not only assist him in expanding his professional network,  valuable tool in our industry — but will also enhance his leadership capabilities and bring new insights that will benefit our entire course team and the playing experience for our members.”

The Brisbane Golf Club extends its warmest congratulations to Alex on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to supporting him throughout his participation in this prestigious program.