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 It was about celebrating 75 years of growth, it was about celebrating 75 years of excellence, it was about 75 years of camaraderie that is unique to the turf industry not only in New Zealand but through out the rest of the world.
Sunday July 15 saw over 110 past & present Golf course superintendents, trade representatives, NZGCSA life members & distinguished guests converge on the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor for the NZGCSA 75th Jubilee.
The evening started with pre dinner drinks, Sponsored by Alan McKenzie – Bar-Mac NZ Ltd, Craig Barry – Turfcare Equipment New Zealand & Glen Rogerson – Auckland Turf Maintenance Ltd. This enabled those present to reacquaint themselves with old friendships before moving through to the dining room.
The main part of the evening started
with a welcome from NZGCSA President
Brett Burgess.
 A warm welcome was extended to all distinguished guests – these include NZGCSA Life Members Gordon West, Ian Simpson, Gordon Combe & Richard Warren. A message from another life member John Dixon was played to those present.
Ex NZGCSA Presidents Nigel Lloyd, Grant Wilson, Peter Munro & Layne Young were welcomed as well.
We were also privileged to have the company of GCSAA President Ricky Heine & his wife Jana attend the celebrations.
Prior to dinner being served the 3 major NZGCSA awards were presented to 3 very deserving winners.
 The Graduate of the Year award sponsored by Powerturf was presented to James O’Malley from Millbrook by Powerturf Manager Terry Sullivan.
The Fellowship Award sponsored by John Deere was presented to Leo Barber course superintendent at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club. Representing John Deere was Renee Lubbers who presented the award to Leo.
The distinguished Service Award was presented to Layne Young course Superintendent at North Shore Golf Club by Bruce Lowe from Prebble Seeds who proudly sponsor the Distinguished Service Award.
We were then treated to a sumptuous dinner of hot & cold meats, seafood & an array of salads & side dishes. It was a banquet befitting  75 years of existence.
Following dinner the 4 life members present were invited up to the microphone to reminisce about the last 75 years with some interesting insights in to the issues faced & how they were overcome – the pioneering of the turf industry you might say.
It was a fantastic evening with the chance to catch up on old friends & make some new friends who all speak the same language – or did by the time the night ended!!
 In conclusion I would like to thank Powerturf the major sponsor of the NZGCSA 75th Jubilee dinner. Their support of the golf turf industry is second to none& we look forward to their continued support.
As we now turn our focus our attention on the centenary celebrations it’s timely to remind you all it’s only 25 years away. As one of our life members said to me on the night “hell it feels like the 50th celebrations were only last week”.
Thank you all one & all for helping make it a successful night.
Brett Burgess |
