The Australian Golf Club last week confirmed the appointment of Marlon Johnston as its new course superintendent. Johnston, who was previously one of two assistant superintendents at the esteemed Rosebery-based course, takes the reigns from Dan Cook who stepped down in August and started a new role as commercial manager for ASTMA Bronze Partner Greenway Turf Solutions at the start of September.
 
The elevation to his first superintendent posting is just reward for Johnston who served as an assistant superintendent across two of Sydney’s elite courses over the past seven years. He joined The Australian in March 2022 after a three-and-a-half year stint as assistant at Terrey Hills, quickly becoming a key player in Cook’s senior course management team. He played a significant role in the club’s successful delivery of the 2023 Australian Open and helped to oversee a raft of course improvement works in the lead-up to the event.
 
“Our club has a rich history and a passionate membership and I’m committed to maintaining its world-class standards,” says Johnston on his appointment to the superintendent role. “I’m extremely honoured to have the support of the board at The Australian Golf Club and look forward to building on the foundation of those before me. Both Phil Beal and Dan Cook gave the club their absolute all in recent years and my commitment is to do exactly that.
 
“The network of mentors and peers I have locally, nationally and internationally have shown me an incredible level of support. I carry a level of confidence in my new role knowing I have that strong support network, as well as knowing we have an enthusiastic and committed team that all want to be better than they were yesterday, every day! It’s an exciting time at the club and I am looking forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that makes The Australian Golf Club so special.”

A product of northwest Tasmania, Johnston (31) started in the industry when he relocated to Hobart to take on an apprenticeship working on sportsfields and cricket wickets at The Twin Ovals. He moved to Sydney in 2014 upon completion of his apprenticeship and made the transition in codes at New South Wales Golf Club. Two years later he joined The Ohio Program and was placed at Oakmont Country Club when it staged the 2016 US Open, and then Austin Country Club which hosted the 2017 WGC Matchplay. Johnston then returned to Sydney and joined The Lakes Golf Club as foreman ahead of the 2018 Australian Open, before heading to Terrey Hills and eventually The Australian.

In a letter sent to members last week, The Australian club captain Paul Oneile was delighted to confirm Johnston’s appointment: “With strong agronomic ability, worldly tournament experience, important institutional knowledge of The Australian Golf Club and member expectations, the positive steps taken to build an energetic, motivated and engaged team over the past 6-12 months, and a strong desire to succeed in the role, Marlon has full board and club management support.
 
“Marlon has received high praise from superintendents that he has worked with over the years, with Michael McCormick from Oakmont stating: ‘Marlon is one of the most impressive young turf professionals that I have witnessed in my career. His work ethic, dedication, qualifications and skill set will make him an asset to any team that he is part of. 
 
“Bobby Stringer, director of agronomy from Austin Country Club, endorsed those sentiments: ‘Marlon consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of golf course management, exceptional work ethic and a passion for excellence in turfgrass care and course presentation. His communication was always professional, respectful and responsive. Marlon pushed us to be better.’”
 
Johnston is a past graduate of the Jacobsen-sponsored Future Turf Managers’ Initiative (2021/2022 cohort) and is currently in the middle of completing a Master of Management through the UNSW Business School.

His superintendent appointment continues what has been a big year already personally for Johnston, who together with fiancée Georgie welcomed their second child, Tommy, in February (first born Freddy turned four last week as well). This past June, Johnston also had the opportunity to return to Oakmont Country Club for the 125th US Open where he was one of five Australians among a huge volunteer corps assisting McCormick and his team.

The ASTMA congratulates Marlon on his elevation at The Australian and wishes him all the best for his tenure there.

 

Story by Brett Robinson; Pictures courtesy of Brett Robinson and Chris Searl