EP.135 Steve's Random Special Guest - Mike O'Keeffe (Ohio State Program)

Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dint Golf Solutions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis segment of Walking the Fairways has plenty of information coming from a number of courses around Australia and New Zealand that we haven't heard from at all on the podcast before. Lots of places dealing with too much rain but things are turning now that we have officially hit Spring!I'm also joined on this episode by Head Greenkeeper of Humpty Doo Golf Club in the Northern Territory, Jimmy Downes. Jimmy gives us an update of the work that he has been up to on course including some green extensions and tee work. Jimmy also launches into a first for The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast, where he becomes our very first state correspondent delivering news for golf courses across the NT.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠Humpty Doo & Rural Area Golf ClubEP.90 Keeper of the Greens - Jimmy DownesTallebudgera Golf CoursePalm Meadows Golf CourseNoosa Springs Golf ResortRedcliffe Golf ClubCrafter Mogford Golf StrategiesPalmerston Golf & Country ClubGardens Park Golf LinksJabiru Golf ClubKatherine Country ClubDarwin Golf ClubGove Country Golf ClubNorthbridge Golf ClubLynwood Golf & Country ClubCowra Golf ClubDuntryleague Golf ClubClub TocumwalRobertson Lodges - Kauri CliffsCheltenham Golf ClubBayside City Council Meeting 19th August 2025Victoria Golf ClubBarwon Heads Golf ClubTasmania Golf Club7 Mile Beach Golf CourseEP.118 The Design Brief - Rob CollinsKing Collins Dormer

Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠J⁠ohn Deere dealer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deere.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Damien Bell has a greenkeeping career that doesn't follow the traditional path. Growing up at Wellington, in country NSW, greenkeeping wasn't exactly on his mind when looking for work after leaving school. After falling into a greenkeeping apprenticeship, as he puts it, he was literally thrown the keys to the golf course after his boss had an accident at home and was unable to return to work. A steep learning curve by anyone's standards. Damien stood tall and took on all the challenges that confronted a young man looking to learn the trade of greenkeeping, and after completing his apprenticeship, went on to win the national apprentice of the year award which laid down a path to a different world.Damien was soon on a plane to the USA before taking on a new role in Sydney and living in the big smoke! As life changes, so do your priorities, which would then see Damien and his young family looking to return to country life and taking on the role as Superintendent at the club where his career began. But this was only another small step in his career to date.Join Damien and I as we record this one in person at the Wellington Golf Clubhouse, catch up on old times, discuss what it's like living and working in a regional town, the highs and lows of maintaining a regional golf course within the swings of Mother Nature, the incredibly unique setting and location of Wellington Golf Club, and the club's bright future under the new management of Wellington Soldiers Club! Oh, and there's plenty of laughs along the way of course!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:Wellington Golf ClubManly Golf ClubPennant Hills Golf ClubASTMA Golf Course Graduate of the Year Award (past winners)Wellington CavesJenolan CavesBig Cedar LodgeBig Cedar Lodge - Cliffhangers Course video

Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dint Golf Solutions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis segment of Walking the Fairways has plenty of information coming out of NSW including the well known Mollymook Golf Club's Hilltop Golf Course. We stop in quickly to the ACT with some information from Canberra Public Golf Course, before a jump to NZ with some information about the new Glendhu Golf Course being built on the banks of Lake Wanaka. Arm End in Tasmania also has a little bit of news. The big part of this episode however is the conversation I have with Superintendent Chris Rae of Orkney Golf Club in the UK having now completed hosting the 2025 Island Games. Chris jumps on the pod to give us an insight as to what it was like hosting the games and preparing the golf course with a challenging lead up to the event in such a remote part of the world.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠Mollymook Golf Club - Hilltop Golf CourseRyan Van Der Veen - Van Der Veen DesignsShoalhaven Heads Golf ClubGerringong Golf ClubStrathfield Golf ClubNewgreens Chatswood Golf ClubCrafter + Modford Golf StrategiesBexley Golf ClubCanberra Public Golf CourseParaparaumu Beach Golf ClubTakapuna Golf Course2023 Auckland Floods - Floodlists.comGlendhu Golf CourseSpring Valley Golf ClubOCM Golf DesignHuntingdale Golf ClubCranbourne Golf ClubArm End Golf CourseThaxted Park Golf ClubGlenelg Golf ClubWhaleback Golf CourseWembley Golf CourseOrkney Golf Club2025 International Island Games - OrkneyOrkney - WikiEP.110 Keeper of the Greens - Chris Rae (Orkney Golf Club)EP.127 Keeper of the Greens - Mark Spraggs (Tuncurry Golf Course)

Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠J⁠ohn Deere dealer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deere.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rod Tatt is Course Manager of Mt Lawley Golf Club in Perth, Western Australia. His most recent years have been working through a remodelling of the entire golf course under the architecture hand of OCM. Being his first post as a superintendent in Western Australia, Rod has had to workout pretty quickly how to get the most out of the golf course in Perth's unique environment that is so different to the east coast. That being said, it's all the more interesting when we learn that Rod is originally from regional Victoria, not far out of Melbourne, where he got his first taste of greenkeeping. Greenkeeping and golf came as a pair for Rod in his younger days where it wasn't long before he got really involved working on golf courses on Melbourne's famed Sandbelt region along with playing competitive golf.Rod's story is one of learning through experience and learning from great mentors. He has worked at some of Australia's best courses, including as Superintendent, with some of the best golf course architects, and now brings his particular set of skills to Perth where he has been involved in delivering an incredible new version of Mt Lawley for it's members and guests.This is an interesting conversation with a few deep dives and visited rabbit holes, that neither of us saw coming, including player expectations and just what does the term "consistency" mean in golf maintenance.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:Mount Lawley Golf ClubWalton Heath Golf ClubBacchus Marsh West Golf ClubBacchus Marsh - WikiBallarat Golf ClubVictoria Golf ClubJohn Sloan - LinkedInMike ClaytonCranbourne Golf ClubWoodlands Golf ClubYarra Yarra Golf ClubTom DoakRenaissance Golf DesignBrian SlawnikSan Francisco Golf Club - Links MagazineCal ClubOCM Golf DesignRod Tatt - Claude Crockford Award 2023Fairway to biodiversity - Western IndependentWA OpenLake Karrinyup Country ClubJoondalup Golf ResortSecret Harbour Golf LinksThe Cut Golf Course

Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dint Golf Solutions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis episode of Walking the Fairways sees a lot of information coming out of some clubs in Queensland including the Sunshine Coast, there's been some extreme weather through the northern parts of NSW including a widespread rare snow event, and the big ticket item, the very first catch up with New Zealand Superintendent - Harry Middleton of Muriwai Golf Links. Harry gives us an insight into the unique Muriwai Golf Links along with some course upgrade works they're currently working on and what they're looking forward to in the future.A wide ranging insight on this episode so come along for the journey!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠Muriwai Golf LinksToowoomba City Golf ClubRedcliffe Golf ClubIndooroopilly Golf ClubPerrett Webb Golf Course ArchitectsCairns Golf ClubMount Coolum Golf ClubNoosa Springs Golf ResortGolf Course Superintendents Association of Western Australia (GCSAWA)Margaret River Golf ClubBusselton Golf ClubDunsborough Lakes Golf ClubArmidale Golf ClubSnow in Armidale - news.com.auWoolooware Golf ClubBingara Gorge Golf CourseMarrickville Golf, Sporting & Community ClubYarra Yarra Golf ClubOcean Dunes King IslandTasmania Golf ClubClayton Devries & Pont (CDP)Kruse Golf - FacebookPortsea Golf ClubRichmond Golf Club

Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠J⁠ohn Deere dealer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deere.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nik Smith is Superintendent of Proserpine Golf Club in regional North Queensland, but don't let that detail have you thinking he hasn't seen much. Oh no!Nik's career began on the Melbourne Sandbelt at Commonwealth Golf Club. Through some old school perseverance, Nik was given an opportunity to carve out the beginnings of his greenkeeping career at Commonwealth GC where he really got a taste for the trade. His next step would be to the one and only Kingston Heath Golf Club where he would spend a few years working, including preparing for the 1995 Men's Australian Open that was won by Greg Norman.From here you'll just have to listen and see how wild Nik's ride becomes, which if you're reading this, includes thousands of kilometres travelled, remote country towns, one of Perth's best golf courses, wild buffalo and a crocodile! Sit back, take a big deep breathe, tighten up your seatbelt because this one is wild!You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:Proserpine Golf ClubCommonwealth Golf ClubKingston Heath Golf ClubLake Karrinyup Country ClubPelican Waters Golf ClubMaleny Golf ClubGove Country Golf ClubEP.130 Keeper of the Greens - Adam LambEP.90 Keeper of the Greens - Jimmy DownesMick McCombe - Claude Crockford Award Winner 2025Nhulunbuy wikiGroote Eylandt wiki

Walking the Fairways segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is proudly brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dint Golf Solutions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Make sure to check out their website www.dint.com.auThis episode of Walking the Fairways takes you through a special honour bestowed to one of New Zealand's long time Superintendents, a stack of work being completed at a regional golf club in South Australia, we hear direct from Federal Golf Club's Superintendent Pete Dunn about the work they're moving through in the nation's capital, there's some significant news from the NSW South Coast, and I see first hand some upgrade work being completed at a couple of courses in Melbourne.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:Dint Golf Solutions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠John Spraggs - LinkedInNew Zealand Golf Course Superintendents Association (NZGCSA)Royal Wellington Golf ClubEP.127 Keeper of the Greens - Mark SpraggsSouth Lakes Golf ClubFederal Golf ClubFederal Golf Club Maintenance Department - InstagramWPGA Championship & Festival of GolfSanctuary Cove Golf & Country ClubCrafter + Mogford Golf StrategiesClub CatalinaKruse Golf - FacebookClayton Devries & Pont (CDP)Strathallan Golf ClubRanfurlie Golf ClubAndrew Anderson - InstagramSun City Country ClubMaroochy River Golf ClubPaul McLean - LinkedIn

This is a belter of a podcast yarn! If ever there was one you want to listen to, this is it. It's worldly, it's diverse, it's interesting, it's education, and most of all it's fun along the way.Mike O'Keeffe heads up the sports turf arm of the Ohio State Program in the USA. The program itself is tailored for young people who are looking to gain significant experience in golf greenkeeping at some of the most iconic golf courses of the USA preparing for some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world.I wanted to chat with Mike to understand more about the Ohio State Program in detail, how big the program is, why it works so well for us Aussie's and New Zealanders, and why Mike is so passionate about the program and pours so much of his heart and soul into the people that participate!Join us for a hell of a ride and some amazing insight into a program and someone (Mike) that probably single handedly has changed the lives of so many people in the greenkeeping industry and made them into some of the best greenkeepers and professionals of the industry!You can contact Mike on these details below:Whatsapp +1-614-620-7720E-mail [email protected]: turfokeeffeFacebook: Mike O'KeeffeLinkedIn - Mike O'KeeffeYou hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:Ohio State ProgramOakmont Country ClubQuail Hollow ClubPebble Beach Golf LinksChevy Chase ClubSherwood Country ClubDLF Golf ResortSunningdale Golf ClubNSW Golf ClubRoyal Perth Golf ClubKalgoorlie Golf CourseSorrento Golf ClubGlenelg Golf ClubKeperra Golf ClubEP.95 Keeper of the Green - Richard ForsythEP.78 Keeper of the Greens - John MannEP.75 Keeper of the Greens - Tim WarrenEP.130 Keeper of the Greens - Adam LambEP.119 Keeper of the Greens - Shane BakerEP.127 Keeper of the Greens - Mark SpraggsEP.61 Keeper of the Greens - Glenn Gibson-SmithEP.57 Keeper of the Greens - Pat CaseyEP.70 Keeper of the Greens - Pat WilsonEP.97 Keeper of the Greens - Sophie WarrenEP.104 Keeper of the Greens - Kate RainsburyEP.107 Keeper of the Greens - Women in Turf Program

Keeper Of The Greens segment of The Golfing Greenkeeper Podcast is brought to you by John Deere Golf. When you work where others play, you need a partner you can trust to keep your course in perfect condition. Find your nearest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠J⁠ohn Deere dealer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deere.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Palmer leads the very small team of just 3 who maintain the 50 hectare site of the most southern 18 hole golf course in Australia - North West Bay Golf Club.Through this fantastic, grounded conversation, Brad imparts some wonderful insight into golf in Tasmania along with telling us his career journey from Kingston Beach Golf Club through Llanherne GC and now to North West Bay GC. Born and bred locally in the Hobart region, Brad bounced through a few industries before searching for the industry that would see him stay to make a career out of. And that was greenkeeping!Join us as Brad takes us on a deep dive into Tasmanian and Hobartian golf, along with a detailed account of the magnificent Poa greens and blended Fescue and cool season grass fairways that adorn North West Bay Golf Club whilst it lies in wait for you to come and visit for a round! You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected] and places mentioned in this podcast:North West Bay Golf ClubKingston Beach Golf ClubLlanherne Golf ClubRoyal Hobart Golf ClubTasmania Golf ClubArm End Golf CourseBarnbouglePittwater Golf ClubTasmania Sports Turf Managers Association (TSTMA)Bruny Island

This episode offers my opinion relating to recent comments from an Australian sports media personality. I call the comments out for being harmful and negative to the broader golf and greenkeeping industry and give my thoughts about how we can all learn from them and commit to being better communicators.That's it, nothing more for this one.Not sure if you'll like it, or loath it, but its here for you if you're interested in my thoughts on a different subject.You hit 'em clean and we'll keep 'em green!⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper - Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Golfing Greenkeeper TV - YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send me an email to - [email protected]