Emerging sports turf manager Thomas Jolly (pictured) is relishing the opportunity to broaden his horizons after settling into his new role at the Morphett Vale Memorial Bowling Club in Adelaide as greenskeeper over the past few months. 

Jolly, who won the Turf Management South Australia Turf Graduate of the Year in 2025, departed D&D Curators for the new role on July 1 and is enjoying branching out, working solo and honing his craft after a successful apprenticeship.

“It’s been pretty good. For myself, I just finished my apprenticeship and probably did another nine months (with D&D) before Morphett Vale put on an expression of interest and I kind of threw my hat in the ring,” he said. “I just wanted to see what happens and we went forward from there.

“I wanted to test myself and it’s a lot closer to home. I’m now only looking after one site, instead of the four. It’s still a bit daunting at times on my own. The club I’ve taken over has two Tifdwarf greens and one Santa Ana so it’s been good.”

Jolly said one of the benefits of his apprenticeship and ability to make connections all across the country, including at the recent ASTMA conference in Sydney back in June had paid dividends in his short stint already at the club.

Morphett Vale is one of the most established bowling clubs in the south of Adelaide. First formed around 1935, it is a club steeped in tradition.

“All of the greens I’ve previously worked on have been Tifdwarf and I have worked on Santa Ana a little with cricket pitches but I’ve been able to reach out to a lot of connections and friends I’ve made through my apprenticeship and they’ve been pretty helpful with little tips,” he said.

 

Story by Nick Creely/Pictures supplied by Tom Jolly