The turf management team at The National Golf Club on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula has been recognised for their dedication, skill and innovation across four distinct courses at two locations. In front of a large audience at a gala dinner held at the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park on June 23, The National Golf Club’s Old Course superintendent Scott Calder (pictured) received the ASTMA Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award, sponsored by association Bronze Partner Repco Commercial, on behalf of The National crew. 

The ASTMA Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award was one of six awards handed out on the night which recognised the achievements and successes of Australia’s sports turf management professionals over the past 12 months. The ASTMA Sports Turf Management Team of the Year Award was first struck in 2021, with The National team joining an illustrious group of winners and becoming the second Victorian team to win the award

The National Golf Club boasts 56 turf management team members and demonstrates a consistent commitment to excellence through high-level presentation of all four courses – the ‘Old’, ‘Moonah’ and ‘Gunnamatta’ courses at its Cape Schanck site, and Long Island course near Frankston. This has been achieved through a deep understanding of the environment, combined with proactive and passionate turf care. Each of the club’s four courses operate under a masterplan, developed and reviewed regularly in consultation with the original course designers.

Overseeing The National’s operations is golf course manager Leigh Yanner together with superintendents Scott Calder (Old Course), Tony Gordon (Moonah and Gunnamatta courses) and Simon Page (Long Island course). Whether it be mowing heights, surface firmness, bunker conditioning or green speeds, the turf team makes decisions carefully balancing agronomic health with optimal playing conditions, ensuring each course retains its individual character.

It has been a hectic past 12 months at the club, with several key projects and events exemplifying the turf team’s unwavering commitment. The Long Island Course renovation and construction project has been a major focus which has included reshaping works, turf establishment and integration of new irrigation and drainage systems.

The team has also delivered The National Tournament – the final event of the PGA Tour of Australasia calendar on the Gunnamatta Course to meet the expectations of professional golfers, broadcasters and spectators – the renovation of the rooftop putting green, staged cart path upgrades across the Moonah and Gunnamatta courses and the construction and maintenance of a 19th hole on the Moonah Course.

“Even though at The National we have four courses over two sites, we are one team, and the ability of our team is matched by their passion and for setting up special projects, whether it be moving around our courses or for renovations,” Calder said when accepting his award on the night. “I’d also like to thank our CEO Matthew Corby for nominating us and our board and members for supporting us.”

Story by Nick Creely/ Picture by Brett Robinson (ASTMA)