Meadowbrook Golf Club’s Luke Helm is the toast of the Queensland superintendent community after collecting the GCSAQ Superintendent Achievement Award at the Queensland Golf Industry Awards last Wednesday night. Helm, who has been superintendent at Meadowbrook since 2018, beat home a quality field of finalists that included Peter Culross (Nudgee GC), John Halter (City GC), Matthew Hartup (Pacific Harbour G&CC), Mick Kelly (Toowoomba GC), Stephen Milgate (Beerwah GC), Stuart Moore (Southport GC) and Brett Thomson (Carbrook GC) to claim the award sponsored by Water Wise Consulting. 

Posting on LinkedIn following the awards, Helm (pictured right with his crew) noted: “What a ride it has been all the way from a 15-year-old apprentice in western Sydney, fast forward 25 years to this today. I’m extremely grateful to all the amazing people who have had a part of my career along the way; without you this achievement doesn’t happen.

"Thank you to Meadowbrook Golf Club for putting your trust in me to lead the club into the future, I knew I wouldn’t let you down.” Helm will now go into the running for the ASTMA Excellence in Golf Course Management Award, sponsored by Envu, which will be announced at the 2026 Australian Sports Turf Management Conference in Melbourne. 

The highlight of the night, however, came when a former superintendent and GCSAQ committee member was acknowledged for his years of service with the Superintendent Recognition Award, sponsored by Greenway Turf Solutions. Seven years ago David Morrison (pictured second right) decided to head down a different track quite literally after more than 30 years working on golf courses. Stepping into the racecourse manager role at Clifford Park, home of the Toowoomba Turf Club, Morrison transferred his turf management expertise across to the racing industry and has since gone on to be regional manager for thoroughbred tracks for Racing Queensland. 

“I’m absolutely shocked,” a clearly humbled and emotional Morrison said when accepting his award in front of the 400-strong audience on Wednesday. “I can remember at high school trying to get through Grade 10 and going to the student counsellor who asked me what I was going to do with my life. I was no good at school and I got a job at Oxley Golf Club straight out of school as a groundsman…now I can’t believe I am here tonight getting this award. 

“I have been so lucky to be involved in the golf industry. I’ve met so many great people and loved looking after golf courses. While I haven’t been in the golf industry for the past seven years, I still love coming to this event, catching up with my old mates and seeing how they all are. I’m just speechless. Thank you so much for this – I’m blown away.” 

Elsewhere on the night, Nudgee Golf Club assistant superintendent Ray Lawrence collected the Assistant Superintendent Recognition Award, while Byron Bay Golf Club apprentice Nathan Baker won the GCSAQ Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Toro, and will now represent the association at next year’s national award.

For the second consecutive year, ASTMA Bronze Partner Greenway Turf Solutions won the Golf Supplier of the Year Award which added to the recent gong they received at the inaugural Golf Australia National Awards for Excellence in a similar category. Paul Spencer (pictured third right) received the award from Mike Orloff.

It was also a big night for Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, which won four awards including Most Outstanding Queensland Club, Facility or Place to Play (Metropolitan). Home to superintendent Cameron Smith, who will prepare the Palms course for the 2026 Australian Women’s PGA Championship next March, Sanctuary Cove also picked up the PGA Legends Tournament of the Year Award after successfully hosting last December’s Sanctuary Cove G&CC Legends Pro-Am hosted by Adam Scott & Peter Senior on the Pines course. 

The ASTMA congratulates all GCSAQ award winners and finalists.

 

Story: Brett Robinson; Photos: Daniel Neucom Photography.