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Sport

17 August, 2020

Golf club takes over national awards

THE Atherton Golf Club are patting themselves on the back after they recently won two awards on the national stage

By Rhys Thomas

Golf club takes over national awards - feature photo

THE Atherton Golf Club was jumping for joy after they won two awards at the recent Queensland Golf Industry Awards including Golf Club of the Year.

The virtual awards ceremony took place early last month with the Atherton Golf Club being named Golf Club of the Year (less than 400 members) and their Greens Superintendent Brendan Clark being awarded the Environment and Safety Excellence Award.

The awards were announced virtually by the Queensland Golf Industry Awards as the initial ceremony in the Gold Coast was derailed by COVID-19.

To be in competition for the award the Atherton Golf Club had to submit an application detailing some of the impressive work they have done over 2019.

Some of these works include improvements to the course including the construction of a new green, bunkers and tees, a Turf Nursary which contains an excess of 500 plants which can be used around the course for the propagation and re-establishment of new gardens.

These projects and many more were not the only driving force behind the clubs win as Club President Mark Johnson believes their junior golf program was what pushed them over the line.

“We were reasonably competitive last year (2018) but not successful,” he said.

“Innovation and progress, financial improvements, tightening of the management committee, course development and the development of our juniors program are some of the reasons we were in the running to win the award.”

As the presentations were done virtually a screen was set up in the clubhouse for the members to watch the awards and capture the moment they won.

“We got a group together at the clubhouse and set up a big screen and made a night of it,” he said.

“Some of the members made a bit more of a night of it than others.

“I’m aware that the Club Captain and the Green Superintendent were feeling a little bit cloudy the next day.”

When asked how he felt about winning Mr Johnson described the mood in the clubhouse as euphoric.

“The mood was complete euphoria, the shouting and the celebrating was phenomenal,” he said.

“It’s recognition of the effort that a lot of people put into the club.”

The club also supports the local QITE program with the workers gaining valuable experience and knowledge in the agricultural and horticultural sectors while also gaining improved competency in machinery operation.

The Atherton Golf Club Greens Superintendent Brendan Clark also received his own award being awarded the Environment and Safety Excellence Award.

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In order to win the award, Mr Clark was judged on his safety and environmental management system, vegetation plan and a landscape management plan which are currently implemented at the club.

With prior experience with epar, a safety and environmental management company focusing on golf clubs Mr Clark had the upper hand for the award.

“I’m very honoured, it was a great feeling to win this award,” he said.

“It’s always nice when the club you work for highlights your effort.

“It makes you really feel like a part of the team.”

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