KINGSTON Heath has earned its reputation within the golf community.
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Ranked the second best course in the country, it is a shining light for the golfing community.
Jarrod Castle knows it better than anyone.
Before taking on the role as course superintendent at Rich River in February, he had spent more than 15 years working at Kingston Heath, including as the assistant superintendent for the better part of nine years.
“It wasn't a bad place to go to work every day,” he said.
“Number two in Australia, top 20 in the world, and we worked hard to keep it there.
“But there was an opportunity to move up the ranks as superintendent here, so I was really excited at the prospect of coming up here.”
Now with the full responsibility of the Rich River course, he has set his team a goal.
“Were motivated by the course here being viewed as the best course along the Murray,” Castle said.
“And it's a fantastic course. Incredibly well designed and we believe we can only keep improving on it.
“There are naturally challenges compared to my previous work. Kingston Heath is sand based, while Rich River is clay, so it's a lot heavier. We're also working on quite a lower budget here.
“They're chalk and cheese in terms of their surfaces, but its a wonderful course. The club is willing to put the money needed into improving it, and I believe we can only make it better from here.”
Joining Castle recently has been Justin Crowe, who joined the team in April.
Crowe comes with quite a golfing pedigree of his own, with stints as an apprentice at Wangarratta, and time with Barwon Heads and a year at Royal Dublin.
After returning to Australia, he spent 15 years at the Huntingdale Golf Club, before a family decision saw him move to Rich River.
“My wife grew up here,” Crowe said.
“So we took the opportunity to move up here and have a country life to raise our son.”
Like Castle, Crowe is adjusting to the challenges of the golf course in a different climate.
“It doesn't rain,” Crowe said with a laugh.
“The climate is so different. In mid-April we could still be irrigating here, whereas in Melbourne your shutting that off in March as you just don't need it.
“Then there is the difference in soil and putting in new systems. It's a hard slog to get the course to where we want it to be.”
When adapting to a new environment, it helps to have some local experience.
Which brings in Tim Leat, who has now been at the club for 12 years.
“I started as a greenskeeper and worked my way up to foreman and assistant,” Leat said.
“I've seen lots of changes in my time, and this current batch we are working on is the most exciting period in my tenure.
“We are doing some really good stuff. The club is putting money into the course - the master plan and the irrigation will make a huge difference to the course for our members and guests.”
And if any of the team wants the course to be different for the members, it's Leat.
“I've been playing for close to 30 years,” he said.
“I'm an OK standard player. I've been in single figures for 20 years. But I've never won a club championship here.
“I probably never will now. I think my prime has passed me. That's the reality of our club. We have some incredible players.
“And I think playing here regularly helps. And it helps having a real understanding of the game for things like pin locations and the like.
“We encourage all our people to have an understanding of the game to help them understand what makes it a great sport.”
The challenge to make Rich River stand out as the best course along the Murray River is not an easy one, but one the team is taking great pride in.
“The master plan we are working on has a lot in it,” Castle said.
“Improving the bunkers, improving the green complexes and tee complexes, as we the turf surfaces. It's going to be tough.
“But we are here to work on those issues. The club wants it to be better, is putting the money into the course and it will make a huge difference.”
“We all have the same goal,” Crowe said.
“We all know what we are working towards. We are the closest course to Melbourne along the river, and we want people to see this more as a destination course that people are desperate to play.
“We are all working as one and going in one direction. It's a lot of work, but we are up for the challenge.”
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