Green Improvement Plan

The Committee, CEO and professional adviser from Troon are extremely concerned about the current state of our course, particularly the greens. The greens have not recovered well from the maintenance procedures implemented in mid-February and are expected to worsen over the coming months during winter.

In recent weeks we have discussed the issue with industry experts to identify and understand potential solutions. We talked with previous course superintendents, course superintendents from other clubs, David Lunardelli (Director of Agronomy and Operations, Troon International), the Course Advisory Group and some former club office bearers. We have also discussed the issue with members who have professional expertise in agronomy.  The overwhelming consensus is that action is urgently required. For this reason we will conduct training for our course staff on Friday, 19 April on the practice green, with the overseeding of other greens to commence on Monday, 22 April.

Poa trivialis, a winter grass, will supplement the near dormant grass on our greens and produce an improved appearance, playability of our green surfaces to what we currently have. This process has been implemented successfully at the Club in the past and is currently used by several clubs across South-East Queensland. Our advisors are confident the process will result in improved putting surfaces.

We are compiling and sharing a set of frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about the work. Initial questions are included below.  Please enter your questions here and we will add them to our FAQs for the benefit of all members.

We appreciate your support and patience during this challenging time. We are extremely disappointed with our greens but are committed to doing everything we can to improve the situation in the short, medium and longer term.

Regards

Deb Kember
President
The Brisbane Golf Club
Email: dakember2023@gmail.com
Phone: 0419 721 905

Geoff Kuehner
CEO
The Brisbane Golf Club
Email: geoff@brisbanegolfclub.com.au
Phone: 0411 412 666

FAQs

1. What is overseeding?
Overseeding is a process in which grass seed is spread onto existing turf to promote new growth.

2. Why are we overseeding our greens?
Our greens are not currently at an acceptable standard and we are concerned without action they will worsen during Winter. We are overseeding to improve the playing surface during this period.

3. How does the process work?
Our course staff will put down grass seed along with some sand. Regular watering will see the seeds germinate and supplement the existing grass is place.

4. What type of grass seed will be used?
Poa trivialis will be used.

5. Has the Club overseeded before?
Yes. Prior to the installation of the Champion grass, the greens were overseeded with Poa annua every year for several years.

6. What is the aim of the work?
The new grass along with the existing grass will ensure we do not have bare patches on our greens. They will not only look better but also roll better.

7. Are there any negatives?
Yes. The greens will have sand added to them over the first 7 to 10 days when the seed is put down. Additionally, the Poa trivialis will need to be sprayed out at the end of Winter. During these periods the greens will not be ideal. However, the Committee is comfortable with the advice it has received that these periods are worthwhile given the improvement we are expected to see in our greens during winter.

8. Will the course be closed at any time?
No, the overseeding will be done while the course is open.

9. How long will the overseeding process take?
It is expected to take up to two days for course staff to put down the seed and sand. It will then take approximately 7 to 10 days for the seeds to germinate. The exact time it takes for our greens to improve will depend on weather conditions.

10. Why are we using Poa trivialis?
Poa trivialis is a common type of seed used in South-east Queensland. It was also the seed used when overseeding was regularly done at The Brisbane Golf Club. It has been recommended by Troon and is used at Brookwater every year.

11. Why aren’t we continuing to oversow with bent grass?
All greens were oversewn with bent grass in January 2024. The bent grass did not survive the harsh summer or the green maintenance procedures used at the time.

12. Do our course staff know how to manage the overseeding?
Yes. However, they will be supported by David Lundardelli from Troon who has over 30 years experience in agronomy and by Matt Legge, a previous employee of The Brisbane Golf Club, who is the Course Superintendent of Brookwater Golf Club.

13. Will the Poa trivialis become an unwanted foreign grass after Winter?
No. The Poa trivialis will be sprayed out of our greens at the end of winter and is expected to die out over a four-week period. In the past, it is our understanding that the Club did not spray it out and just allowed it to naturally die off in the warmer months. This approach meant that some of the Poa trivialis remained in place.

14. Will overseeding need to be done every year?
No. Due to the amount of foreign grass in our greens their resurfacing is an issue the Committee must investigate and consider. If our greens are re-surfaced and managed correctly overseeding will not be required. This year we will be putting strict processes in place to ensure our greens are not renovated as late in the Summer as they were this year. All things going well overseeding will not be done next year.

15. Why has the Committee appointed Troon and what is their role?
The Club has engaged David Lunardelli from Troon. David has over 30 years’ experience in course construction and maintenance in the Asia-Pacific region.  His appointment will assist the Club transition to a new course superintendent and also help us to improve the quality of our course, cost controls, communication to members.

16. Have Troon been appointed because the quality of the applicants for the position of course superintendent have been underwhelming?
No. Troon have been appointed for the reasons above. The Committee and CEO and very pleased with the quality of applicants received to date. Applications close on 30 April 2024.