Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) Certificate III Sports Turf Management students completed their quarterly practical assessment at Regency Park Golf Club in Adelaide last week. 
Sam Gillespie and his dedicated team generously opened their doors to us sharing their expertise, facilities, and equipment to support students as they learnt new skills and put them to the test.
The week began under hot, muggy conditions - a stark contrast to the cool and wet weather Adelaide has experienced in recent weeks. Fortunately, temperatures eased by Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing relief for students and staff working on the course.
On Monday and Tuesday, Stage 1 students undertook a full renovation of the course’s tees. This comprehensive process included scarification, scalping, hollow coring, and recycling of cores by dragging them back into the turf using a drag mat. A fertiliser application followed to support recovery and promote healthy regrowth.
Alongside the renovation, students conducted soil tests across a range of surfaces. This gave them valuable insight into pre-renovation analysis and how soil data informs maintenance plans and turf management decisions. Students also completed their practical assessments for the unit Operate Irrigation Systems. This involved hands-on work around the pump shed, operating irrigation controllers, and performing catch-can tests to measure co-efficient and distribution uniformity, and overall system performance.
On Wednesday, Stage 2 and Stage 3 students joined us at Regency Park. Stage 3 students completed assessments for Implement a Plant Nutrition Program, Sample Soils and Interpret Results, and Operate Irrigation Systems. Their tasks included collecting soil samples, interpreting results, and developing a targeted nutrition program to improve soil structure and plant health. They calibrated fertiliser spreaders and applied products according to their calculated requirements. They also carried out the same irrigation testing and operational tasks similar to that completed by the Stage 1 students for the Operate Irrigation unit earlier in the week.
Stage 2 students focused on chemical handling and application, completing assessments for the units Prepare and Apply Chemicals and Transport and Handle Chemicals. This involved identifying weed species, selecting the correct control products, interpreting chemical labels and application rates, and calibrating both knapsack and boom sprayers to ensure safe and effective application. 
The ASTMA extends our thanks to all students for their enthusiasm and hard work throughout the week. A special thank you goes to Sam Gillespie and his team, particularly Kim Tonkin and Jake Holland for their guidance, and the fantastic learning environment they created. Their support helped make this practical block both smooth and successful for everyone involved.
For more information of a range courses and qualifications offered by the ASTMA, CLICK HERE.

Photos: Albert Sherry (ASTMA)