Author: Sarah

From Malta to the Hawkesbury

At Hi Quality Turf you can most certainly say farming is in the blood. Charlie Muscat aged in his late teens decided to leave his family farm in Malta and follow his 3 brothers Jimmy, Joe and Dominic to chase bigger and better things by migrating to Australia in 1964.

Charlie was blown away by the vastness of the open land before him, so different to the rocky landscape he was used to back home. It didn’t take Charlie long to begin farming with his brothers on their first parcel of land at Pitt Town Bottoms on the Hawkesbury River. There they were the Muscat brothers doing what they do best.

By 1980, Charlie had bought out the land with his wife Maria and their young family and were farming 30 acres growing potatoes, lettuce, cauliflower, watermelon and cabbage. Eventually, Charlie’s boys David, Richard and Jason grew up and of course, wanted nothing more than to join their father full-time on the farm and one by one that is where they ended up.

It was in the late 90’s after many arduous years of veggie farming, that the family recognised the potential of the growing turf industry and decided to make the transition from veggies to turf in 1999. Planting crops of Kikuyu, Couch and Soft Leaf Buffalo on the 30 acres initially.

Hi Quality Turf was established in 1974 by Keith Smith a local of the Hawkesbury that grew and harvested turf at Pitt Town Bottoms. As his business grew, he resorted to buying all his turf from local growers including Charlie and the boys, who eventually were his exclusive supplier.

After a few years of farming and supplying turf to Keith, the opportunity arose to purchase the Hi Quality Turf business.

In 2001 Charlie, David, Richard and Jason jumped at the opportunity and were excited to take on the new challenge. Even back then the fundamentals of the Hi Quality Turf brand was built on high standards in product and service, which shows in the longevity of the business and clientele, some of which have been customers of Hi Quality from the outset.

Since the takeover in 2001, farm expansion has gone from 30 acres to 180 acres and an increase in commercial services provided by Hi Quality to include supply and installation of maxi rolls, washed turf, turf planting and field surface renewal. Gone were the days of arriving at a job barefoot and hand unloading an entire load of turf to the kerb side.

In 2009 and 2010 Hi Quality Turf was proud to be the sole supplier of turf for the Breakfast on the Bridge event in Sydney where 10,000m2 of turf was laid to cover the entire span of the Harbour Bridge to have over 6000 people attend and enjoy breakfast. It was quite an experience.

Other noteworthy jobs include installing turf at the Prime Minister’s residence at Kirribilli House, the field renovation works at the Cronulla Sharks stadium, supplying turf to various charity events like the reconstruction of the local soccer fields at Pitt Town Sports Club and working with Hogs for Homeless returfing several regional sports grounds in Central West NSW.

The soil at the turf farm alongside the Hawkesbury River is some of the best turf-growing soil you will find anywhere. The evident drawback of being so close to a major river system is the obvious threat of flooding, which has unfortunately happened several times since 2020. The worst was in July 2022 when flood levels exceeded 13.5m breaking the largest flood record for 50 years, resulting in a total loss of crops and production, major loss of infrastructure and riverbank erosion making some parts of the farm unrecognisable.

However, during this tough period, it was nice to witness new business relationships being forged and the industry coming together to support each other. This played a major role for turf farmers across the Hawkesbury being able to sustain their businesses and get through.

Then in 2023, the prospect of joining Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA) transpired and after consideration among the family, they knew it was an opportunity that could not be missed. Knowing that by joining LSA, Hi Quality Turf would be able to streamline its production varieties into premium LSA brands that have the backing, research and support that will allow them to move forward as a company. In early 2024 Hi Quality Turf became LSA’s newest Member and was accredited by AusGAP a short time later. This was followed by the planting of Sir Walter DNA Certified in January 2024, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda in February 2024 and Zoysia Australis planting in early spring 2024.

David, Richard and Jason still actively manage Hi Quality Turf. Charlie, who you can find in the mowing tractor most hours of the day during spring and summer continues to work on the farm also. They are joined by their sister Sue who runs the office and a small team of personnel getting the job done.

The picturesque Teven Valley Golf Course recently had the honour of hosting one of the six prestigious NSW Open PGA Qualifier events, marking a significant milestone in the course’s history. This event not only put Teven Valley on the map but also highlighted the dedication and hard work of the entire team behind the scenes.

A Unique Challenge for Professional Golfers

James King, the General Manager of Teven Valley Golf Club, shared insights into the journey that led to this significant event. Having been at Teven for ten months, King found himself managing the event, a role he was both excited and honoured to take on. The selection of Teven Valley as a qualifier location was driven by Golf New South Wales’ desire to promote the tournament across six diverse regions. The course’s unique layout, consisting of nine holes with varied challenges, stood out to the PGA officials, who ultimately decided to play the course as the members do—off the front markers for the first nine holes and the back markers for the remaining nine.

This approach offered a distinctive challenge to professional golfers, who had to adjust to playing a course where par threes dominated one half, while the other half featured par fours and par threes. Despite the unconventional setup, the professionals adapted well, showcasing their versatility and skill.

A Community Effort

Hosting such a significant event required extensive logistical planning, particularly given the course’s split across two roads and the need for external resources to accommodate the influx of players and spectators. King acknowledged the immense support from the local community, including Ballina Council, local businesses, and the Rotary Club, which helped cater the event. This collaborative effort not only ensured the smooth running of the event but also strengthened Teven Valley’s ties with the community.

A Testament to Teven Valley’s Quality

The event, featuring 72 of the top-ranked players, was a true test of Teven Valley’s course. The competition was fierce, with several players under par after the first day. However, it was Matt Miller who ultimately triumphed, delivering an extraordinary performance with five consecutive birdies on the par threes, securing his victory in a thrilling finish.

For Teven Valley, hosting this PGA qualifier was more than just an event; it was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The course, which underwent significant construction and grass selection changes under the guidance of Superintendent Paul Gumbleton, has now been recognised as a top 100 public access golf course by Golf Australia magazine. This recognition, coupled with the successful hosting of the PGA qualifier, solidifies Teven Valley’s status as a world-class golfing venue.

In the reconstruction of Teven Valley Golf Club, the choice of turf played a significant role in the course’s transformation. For the fairways, the club opted for Sir Grange Zoysia, a premium turf variety renowned for its fine blades, high shade tolerance, and minimal nutrient and water needs. Originally developed for the golf industry, Sir Grange Zoysia is highly adaptable to various climates and features a striking dark green colour, making it the top-selling Zoysia grass in the United States. This choice was heavily influenced by Craig Parry, the course’s designer, who had firsthand experience playing on this turf variety in the U.S. Recognising its quality, Parry insisted on using Sir Grange at Teven.

Looking Ahead

With the success of the NSW Open PGA Qualifier, Teven Valley Golf Club is already looking to the future. Plans are in place to enhance member facilities, including expanding the car park and installing warm-up nets. These improvements aim to further elevate the experience for both members and visitors, ensuring that Teven Valley remains a premier golfing destination in New South Wales.

As the Teven Valley Golf Club continues to grow, the recent PGA qualifier serves as a proud reminder of what can be achieved through vision, hard work, and community support.

It’s a dull name for an invigorating collaboration.

By Hillary Thompson, Horticulturist & Communications Director, Super-Sod

American sod farmers aren’t naturally forthcoming with information. Yes, we share and support each other . . . to a point. There’s an invisible line that is not defined yet is never crossed. Cutting-edge farmers protect their “secret sauce.” In the land of slow-cooked, pulled pork BBQ, this is how you get an edge over the competition.

That is why I heard static in April of 2016 when Ben Copeland Jr., CEO of Super-Sod, asked me to meet with North Georgia Turf and Buy Sod (now SodStar) to work together to spread the word about TifTuf Bermuda’s drought tolerance and water savings. Ben is truly our fearless leader, and he patiently listened to me bellyache about why this was a bad idea (our secret marketing sauces would be revealed!). He then told a far-fetched tale about Lawn Solutions Australia. My mind was changed when Ben explained how working together as a group would make more of a splash for TifTuf than going for it alone. He wanted to band together with competitors to put weight behind the water savings consumers will experience due to TifTuf’s drought tolerance. After cyber stalking Lawn Solutions, I was impressed by the collaboration and primed to go for it on our turf.

In group meetings, we mobilized the website tiftufbermuda.com, filmed some videos, created a trade show booth, secured magazine ads, and printed flyers highlighting TifTuf’s drought tolerance case studies. We ordered TifTuf shirts and business cards without our individual sod farm logos on them (these last two items were a bit of a stretch for the outside sales team to accept – but they did!). Our first collective trade show was booked for that November, and we headed to South Carolina for a show organized for golf course superintendents.

At the first trade shows, the sales reps from our three sod farms eyed each other suspiciously and stayed 6 feet away from each other, like they were contagious. After several awkward shows, we had each other’s mobile numbers keyed into our cell phones. This exchange of numbers was the first step in becoming true associates and a sign we were easing into this.

Over the last eight years, we have attended targeted tradeshows to reach all points where TifTuf would be considered – from home builders, apartment builders, green builders, sports field managers, facility managers, landscapers, to landscape architects. We no longer run magazine ads, but we are getting together for choice shows, like the recent show in July 2024 geared to water management professionals in Georgia.

None of these endeavors would have been possible if key stakeholders had not given their energetic support to this untraditional alliance. (As an aside, I have yet to hear of any other group forming to market other American plant material.) Because Ben recognized the importance of the Lawn Solutions model of collaborating for the good of everyone, TifTuf Turf Southeast was able to form a unique union and reach customers. Ben plus the leadership at North Georgia Turf and SodStar gave their monetary support, staff, and personal time to the equation. Finally, none of this would have happened if almost 25 years ago Dr. Bryan Schwartz had not recognized the significant drought tolerance of TifTuf Bermuda. Not only did he single out TifTuf, Bryan also attends key tradeshows as a pro bono speaker, then hangs out in the TifTuf show booth to answer questions. Due to the weight of scientific support, his talks telling the story of turfgrass development and showcasing the research on TifTuf’s drought tolerance cause an excited stir in the audience.

Speaking to the success of TifTuf for Super-Sod alone, TifTuf now accounts for 47% of our sod sales. Out of our six turfgrasses, one grass carrying nearly half of the sales is noteworthy, especially when that metric was reached in only eight years.

We are focusing on growing TifTuf as our only Bermuda variety, having already phased out all other Bermudagrass sales from our farms in our original footprint of Georgia and the Carolinas. At our new farms in Alabama and Tennessee, we are selling out the existing Bermudas fields and replanting only with TifTuf.

Another way to examine the significant sales is to look backward from 12/31/2023 through 1/1/2017 (a period of 84 months), when we harvested 134 million square feet of Tifway 419 Bermudagrass. Comparing it to TifTuf sales, we can look backward during the shorter timeframe of 12/31/2023 through 7/1/2022, when we harvested 141 million square feet of TifTuf in a period of only 18 months.

For Super-Sod, TifTuf is now the “builder grade” Bermudagrass of choice for new residential and retail developments because builders and landscapers experience the ease of establishment and reduced callbacks after jobs are done. TifTuf is also specified for sports fields and high-profile gardens like the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the University of Georgia campus.

Without Lawn Solutions modeling collaboration, our respective sod farms would have missed out on an enriching experience. Because we’re three sod farms pooling resources, we don’t have ROI for each event, publication, or marketing effort, except that the rising tide of TifTuf has now sold 2 billion square feet of sod and has put older turfgrasses such as Tiway 419 straight into retirement. Many thanks to our wise Australian counterparts for leading by example!

The Cliffs Kangaroo Island

Set to open in 2025, this world-class course by Darius Oliver offers a stunning golf experience atop ancient cliffs on Kangaroo Island.

A world-class golf experience is coming to South Australia. The Cliffs Kangaroo Island (KI), designed by renowned Golf Course Architect Darius Oliver and The Cliffs KI Managing Director Sam Atkins, will soon be a premier destination for golf enthusiasts. The first rounds are expected to be played in October 2025.

Created in collaboration with the team behind Cape Wickham Golf Links, The Cliffs KI features wide, sweeping fairways that follow the dramatic contours of ancient cliffs. The course boasts cutting-edge facilities, including a Clubhouse, Restaurant, High-End Retail Store, and Eco Pod Accommodation.

The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is situated on a 600-acre site of sand and rock, atop 30 million-year-old cliffs that offer breathtaking views of the Southern Ocean. Located on Australia’s third-largest island, which is accessible only by ferry or plane, Kangaroo Island is renowned for its natural beauty and local wildlife.

Conversations first began in May 2022 when Martin Greenwood, Communication Manager for Programmed Turnpoint and Golf Course Builder at The Cliffs KI, reached out to Andrew Rowett at Sunnyside Instant Lawn. With a focus on water conservation and creating a world-class playing surface, Greenwood wanted to learn about the science behind TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. The Cliffs KI team and Programmed Turnpoint collaborated closely with Sunnyside Instant Lawn to develop effective solutions for turf establishment and maintaining turf quality.

Golfers will encounter a unique mix of challenges, including elevated cliffs, sea breezes, sand dunes, and high temperatures, making it a distinctive environment for turf growth. The Cliffs KI team, led by Managing Director Sam Atkins, planned the project with extensive research, placing a strong emphasis on the turf. Key discussions with Sunnyside Instant Lawn arose primarily due to challenges related to water supply, as the course will be irrigated with desalinated water from a newly constructed dam.

A meeting with the University of Georgia’s Dr Brian Schwartz, the turf breeder behind the release of TifTuf, was arranged at Sunnyside Instant Lawn with The Cliffs KI team. Dr Schwartz worked through the science and supporting trials behind TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, providing key data and a thorough understanding of the most researched grass in the world. They were able to discuss water usage with Dr Schwartz, who provided detailed insights into TifTuf’s proven water-saving research.

This information demonstrated that water usage could be reduced by 38% compared to initial suggestions to install other Bermuda grasses. The Cliffs KI could now reduce water volumes and, in turn, reduce overall expenses.

TifTuf research extended further with a group visit to inspect the TifTuf at Sunnyside Instant Lawn. “How can you assure us genetic purity?” was a question raised on-site, which highlighted the AusGAP Program and offered confidence in turf purity. To see this firsthand, TifTuf trials were established on-site. Two areas of focus were the 1st tee and the 18th hole, where turf was fenced off from kangaroos. Freshly harvested TifTuf slabs were raked into the sand and exposed to harsh conditions. Each trial was laid directly on top of the sand profile and watered for four weeks until the roots connected. After this period, the trials remained untouched, enduring sun, strong winds, salt spray, and sand drift, with no watering and only minimal rain over the hot summer period.

When asked about the results, Martin said areas exposed on the sand dunes were a “good golf surface” and “I could put a mower over that and play on it”. He was astounded by one area protected from wind, which had “great results, unbelievable in fact”. Trials over the six months leading up to a proposal showed TifTuf’s ability to survive in summer with only small amounts of rainwater on virgin sandy dunes. Despite being exposed to minimal rainfall, TifTuf thrived — something that Sunnyside Instant Lawn’s Andrew Rowett monitored closely with Martin Greenwood and The Cliffs KI team.

The results proved that TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda would perform on a sand profile, with the ability to survive in a long dry climate, handle winter cold conditions, and offer a fast spring green-up. “An unbelievable outcome,” and a great fit for this golf course location. Turfing at The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is set to begin in late 2024 and will extend over 12 months, involving both sprig planting and solid turfing. Solid turfing will primarily focus on erosion-prone areas, bunker faces, and surrounds. As South Australia’s top tourist destination, Kangaroo Island will soon offer golf enthusiasts and visitors a world-class experience on Australia’s first full 18-hole TifTuf golf course.

Lameroo Town Centre Project

It would be hard to drive through Lameroo, South Australia and fail to notice the lush expanses of grass that now contrast the rural, desert-like landscape of the district. Situated in the Mallee 200km East of Adelaide, Lameroo is a small rural township that acts as the service centre to many large and small agricultural businesses and families. It’s also a popular thoroughfare connecting Adelaide to many large eastern towns and cities, making it a must-stop destination for many weary travellers.

As part of Southern Mallee District Council’s Commercial Centres Revitalisation Project, Lameroo’s town centre now boasts a beautiful, functional space that includes a dog park, pump track, playground and BBQ shelter. A standout feature and something that can’t be missed as you drive through is a 22-metre-long centre-pivot structure that pays homage to the district’s strong agricultural history. To bring the project together and to provide areas of dust-free play space and greenery, over 2,000m2 of instant lawn were installed.

The upgrades were undertaken to create community assets that would boost tourism and the business economy of the area. It was hoped that the new areas would be heavily utilised not only by the 900 or so residents of Lameroo but also by tourists in the area and travellers passing through. To keep up with the regular and hopefully plentiful use, a hardy turf variety would be required, one that was self-repairing and versatile enough for the different recreational areas. The lawn had to be suitable for the full sun area which would endure hot, dry summers and frosty, cold winters that are typical of Lameroo’s climate. It also had to be an economical performer, as the project was funded by the Southern Mallee District Council mostly through grant funding. After initial consultations with the team at The Turf Farm in Pinnaroo, Eureka Kikuyu was chosen for the project. This variety already featured across other council-maintained areas of the town and was, therefore, a familiar variety that would be well-suited to the high-traffic area around the play space.

Landscaping was completed by LCS Landscapes, a South Australian commercial landscaping business in consultation with the Southern Mallee District Council and the community of Lameroo. Working together with The Turf Farm, over 2000m2 of Eureka Kikuyu was delivered and installed with the final roll being laid in August last year. The lawn was established quickly and has already been enjoyed by thousands of visitors to the area. The lawn has complimented and enhanced a previously dusty and dry area, providing useable spaces and much-needed greenery.

The project has been completed in perfect time for Lameroo to join the Australian Silo Art Trail with a stunning new mural by world-renowned artist Sam ‘Smug’ Bates. This fantastic community-lead artwork has already had a huge impact on the community and has provided another compelling reason for travellers to stop by and enjoy the lawn and revitalised space.

‘We love working in and around our district, providing lawn to help beautify the Southern Mallee. It’s always a pleasure to drive through Lameroo, watching the community and visitors experience the joy of lawns and green spaces. There is nothing quite like sharing your passion with your community and seeing your hard work being appreciated! We’re excited to be a part of many more projects just like this one.’ – The Turf Farm