AN INTERVIEW WITH COURSE SUPERINTENDENT CHARLIE GIFFARD
Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Brisbane, the Pacific Golf Club is undergoing an exciting transformation. At the forefront of this redevelopment is Charlie Giffard, the course superintendent, whose extensive experience and innovative vision are pivotal to this project. We sat down with Charlie to discuss his journey in the world of golf, the current state of Pacific Golf Club, and the ambitious plans for its future.
From Grassroots to Greens: Charlie’s Journey
Charlie Giffard’s career in golf began in 1979 on a modest nine-hole course. Over the decades, his path took him through various locations across New South Wales and Queensland, working with a variety of cool and warm-season grasses. His extensive tenure at Indooroopilly Golf Club in Brisbane from 2004 to 2018 gave him deep insights into managing diverse green environments. “I’ve always been a student of looking at different grasses and seeing how we can do things better,” Charlie reflects.
A New Era at Pacific Golf Club
Charlie joined Pacific Golf Club at a pivotal moment. The club, located in a somewhat overlooked area of Brisbane, is in the midst of a significant redevelopment. This includes a partnership with Reside, a retirement company, leading to the modernisation of the club’s facilities. A new clubhouse, state-of-the-art practice facilities, and the latest technology such as Top Tracer and Trackman in the simulators are just a few highlights of the ongoing transformation.
“We have four simulators now, with a fifth one planned for the driving range. It’s an exciting place to be with all the new technology,” Charlie adds.
“Pacific Golf Club is situated in a fantastic part of Brisbane. It’s in a bit of a forgotten area in golf,” Charlie notes. “One of my intentions is to try and bring the profile up of the club. The redevelopment with Reside has enabled the club to modernise.”
Innovative Vision and Community Integration
The redevelopment aims to elevate Pacific Golf Club not just as a golfing destination but as a community hub. “There’s an opening up of the club and the facilities rather than just for golfers and members to the community at large,” Charlie explains. The plans include an amenity lawn, mini golf, advanced practice areas, and possibly even a swimming pool, gym, and cinema. This holistic approach positions the club as a lifestyle venue, catering to a broader audience.
Greening the Course
One of the significant upgrades under Charlie’s supervision is the installation of a new irrigation system. The old system, comprised of hydraulic systems with a mix of asbestos cement, PVC, and steel pipes, was outdated and inefficient. The new system, a Toro Lynx system with Infinity head sprinklers, promises better water distribution and turf quality, essential for maintaining high standards across the course. “It took a little over a year to install twin row irrigation, starting in mid-2022 and finishing in June 2023,” Charlie explains. “The new system gives us much more coverage and manageability.”
As an early adopter of Zoysia, Charlie Giffard immediately recognised its potential for golf course use, particularly for its sustainability and maintenance advantages. “Zoysia has many good qualities that make it an excellent fit for golf. With sustainability being a key focus, it minimises inputs compared to what we were working with before, like 328 and other Bermudas or couches,” Charlie explains. The successful implementation of Zoysia at previous courses had proven its value, and Charlie was eager to leverage this experience at Pacific Golf Club.
“When we were looking at the amenity lawns around the clubhouse, it was a no- brainer for me to choose Zoysia,” Charlie states. “Its aesthetic appeal and low maintenance requirements made it ideal for the club’s plans.” The new lawns, planted with Sir Grange Zoysia, are not just for show. “We’ve got tables and chairs out on it, and it handles a lot of weekend wear and tear, including kids playing and jumping castles. It’s cut at 50mm, making it durable and perfect for heavy use.”
Looking ahead, Charlie also envisions using Zoysia for the redevelopment of the nine- hole course, highlighting its resilience and suitability for diverse golfing conditions. “The Primo Zoysia we’ve installed on greens at other courses has proven to be an excellent surface, and I have high hopes for its future applications across this course also.”
Future Plans and Maintenance
As redevelopment progresses, Charlie’s focus is on refining the course’s playing surfaces and upgrading the greens. Plans include transitioning from the traditional 328 grass to TifEagle, known for its superior quality. A master plan is in development to potentially revamp the course layout, enhancing the overall golfing experience.
“At the moment, I’m looking at trying to clean up a lot of the playing surfaces. We’ve achieved a lot in the last 12 months in getting old grass weeds out and are about 80% Greenlees Park or hybrid green couch,” Charlie says. “We’re also planning to update our mowing lines and upgrade the greens to TifEagle.”
Since the redevelopment began, the members of Pacific Golf Club have shown tremendous support, with a full membership and a waiting list of eager applicants. Initially sceptical, many members are now seeing the impressive results and are enthusiastic about the club’s future, confident in the positive direction of the ongoing improvements.
Charlie Giffard’s tenure at Pacific Golf Club is marked by innovation and a commitment to excellence. His extensive experience and forward-thinking approach are driving the club’s transformation, making it an exciting place for both golf enthusiasts and the broader community. As Charlie aptly puts it, “It’s not just a golf course; it’s a lifestyle.” With such a dynamic vision, Pacific Golf Club is set to become a premier destination in Brisbane’s golfing landscape.
We thank Charlie Giffard for his time and insights. Stay tuned as we continue to follow the exciting developments at Pacific Golf Club.
