In Pursuit of Playability and Presentation

Long before the sun rises over Cape Schanck, we manage to miss our turn into the nondescript greenskeeper’s entrance on Truemans Road. 

Perhaps the only understated part of the entire property at The National, it is reflective of the fact that here in the Club’s western corner, Course Manager Leigh Yanner and his dedicated team of ground staff are not bothered with extravagance; instead offering all of themselves to the courses under their care.

As we perform a three-point turn, the Ute behind us has made no such mistake, arriving for the 6am call-time early enough for a coffee and a chat before Tony Gordon’s daily briefing. 

This day, Tony – the Superintendent of the Gunnamatta and Moonah courses – is glad to welcome the team to cool, crisp and clear conditions. Ideal for getting a range of works done, he calls for a fleet of mowers to cut the fairways on Gunnamatta, a crew to tidy the tees and move the markers, as well as a surrounds mower to get to work on Moonah. 

As he reminds the staff to be mindful of their speeds through thick areas of rough and to keep dialling in the spaces surrounding the sprinklers, the exacting approach of the entire operation is clear. 

As is the passion of the staff, as they hop onto their various machines. 

Although no headphones are allowed while cutting, coffees are, so thermoses are loaded into cup holders and the crew sets off. Their daily mission to present a pristine property underway once again, with the day’s most eager golfers now just an hour away. 

Higher up on the other side of the property, The Old course Super, Scott Calder, and his team dodge kangaroos as they set out sprinklers, adjust pin placements and sweep dew off putting surfaces. 

The architect of The Old, Robert Trent Jones II noted of the course that, “intimacy is part of the symphony.” This morning, with the course entirely to themselves, it’s impossible not to feel that the symphony is in full swing, as the ground staff happily prepare every detail of one of the country’s most captivating courses. 

Leigh Yanner

Golf Course Manager

As he prepares to chat with us behind the 12th hole on Gunnamatta, Leigh calls out to a staffer mowing a laser straight pattern into the green.

“Bit of pressure on you today,” he laughs, gesturing to the cameras and microphones.

“Don’t worry about it, those lines are pretty good – nearly as straight as the other day!”

In the familiar exchange, Leigh demonstrates two things that hold him in good stead as he oversees operations across all of The National courses; a friendly and dependable relationship with his staff, as well as an in-depth understanding of how every aspect of the property is maintained.

Of course, all of that comes easily to Leigh, who has worked in turf management since 1991. 

“I just love what I do,” he smiles. “It has just been something that I cherish. It is a real privilege to come to a workplace like this.” 

Overseeing the presentation, playability and future projects of The National is a far cry from turning the hoses on at Hepburn Springs as a youngster, but Leigh’s passion remains as strong as it did thirty-five years ago. 

It is that same passion that leads him to scope out all of the courses at least three times a week. As a consequence, his relationship with the courses is now second nature – and something he finely tunes with the flat stick and a wedge.

“I am very good at understanding the pace through the putter and it is just important to see how the golf ball reacts with a sand wedge,” he explains.

Leigh’s contextual understanding of the property means he can pick disease from the time of year, and know which green will be the first to dry out based on recent wind patterns.

“All of that comes from history. It can’t be taught and it is just from being exposed to the courses all the time.”

Leigh is keen to emphasise the individual character of the courses and what that means for him and his team. From different grasses, varying profiles and even their relative locations, they each require subtly different maintenance. He also knows that upholding their quirks is a key part of his responsibility.

“They each have their own character. A golfer should be called on to adjust to the course, rather than us making every course consistent.

“This is something that we should always maintain at The National.”

Leigh is also cognisant of casting an eye to the future and ensuring that prominent clubs like The National are continuing to make sustainable choices that ensure the longevity of the game.

It’s a delicate balance. He is called on to present playable and wonderfully-manicured courses while allowing the environment to thrive.

“A lot of golfers want things pristine – and that is actually the opposite to sustainability.

“Sustainability is about letting the environment take care of things… A big part of that is to work with nature, but also to influence it a bit where you can.”

Still looking ahead, Leigh is immensely excited to welcome members back to the Long Island property before too long, and is also working through a range of other concepts to continue elevating the offering at The National.

Whether golfers are teeing off today, tomorrow or ten years down the track, he is driven to ensure that theirs is a magical experience on a course that can cater to their individual circumstances.

“Golf is not just about the scratch golfer. Not everyone can hit that perfect golf shot, but we need to make sure they actually enjoy the game. If we all enjoy something, we’ll come back and that is ultimately what we want.”

Tony Gordon

Moonah and Gunnamatta Courses Superintendent

It was love that brought American-born Tony Gordon out to Australia, so it is only fitting that he continues to find deep affection for his work at The National.

After marrying an Australian while working as an apprentice in Colorado, Tony moved Down Under and got a grounding in both Australian culture and a slightly different approach to turf management at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

“It was a great job…. Even though it’s very different, there are things that are similar,” he reflects.

“There’s high traffic areas there and we have a very busy golf course, so learning what’s good and not so good for the grass to handle; be it the wear and tear of lots of rounds of golf, or big weekend fixtures of footy, is critical”

After nearly a decade, Tony traded the goalposts to get greenside, starting at The National in 2017. Since then, his passion for the place has grown every day, and he pinches himself to call the Cape Schanck property his office.

Now responsible for the Moonah and Gunnammata courses, he calls on all of his experience – as well as the skills and nous of his 27-strong team – to ensure the highest quality presentation of the property’s two links-style layouts.

“From a maintenance perspective it is important that we are conscious they are two different courses… and let the features speak for themselves.”

So be it ensuring there is enough water going out to maintain the fescue fairways with high cart traffic on Moonah, or helping the couch surfaces and fescue surrounds on Gunnamatta to shine year-round, Tony has a lot to keep on top of.

Like any of the Course Superintendents, Tony’s goals are dependent upon the team he oversees.

“It is a big property, so I can’t be everywhere at once so I rely really heavily on the team that I organise.

“They are great at providing feedback – things they see on course for improvement and then it’s up to me to juggle and see how many of those things we can accommodate.”

Navigating busy periods for each course – including The National Tournament played on Moonah that concludes the Australian Tour season – Tony  blends his greenkeeping skills with deft management to get it all done.

“At the end of the day, I can only plan and dictate where people go. It’s up to them to put in the discretionary effort and get it all done. They’re a pretty good crew.”

Tony cites his involvement in the redesign of Ocean to Gunnamatta as a career highlight.

“I was very lucky to have a role in that… Everything from making sure we were meeting deadlines to moving things around on the ground and working with the designers.”

A wildly successful project, Tony is proud to reflect on the journey, as well as the skill and talent from Tom Doak’s team in bringing it to life.

“One of the most amazing things to see was Brian Schneider on his dozer… He could move centimetres of soil full tilt on that bulldozer just how he liked.

“It was so good to come in after him to level with a T-laser, you’d barely move any soil because just by eye and feel, he would get it nearly perfect.”

So, from preparing courses for professional tournament play, to course redesign and regular member competitions, it has been a total love affair for Tony Gordon at The National.

As for picking a favourite between Moonah and Gunnamatta? Now that might be one of few things he can’t do at The National.

“I like them equally. I don’t favour one over the other.”

It might just be easier to pick between children.

Scott Calder

The Old Course Superintendent

Built on the side of a hill and carved out of bushland, The Old course at The National is entirely unique. Situated on the eastern section of the property, it shares a maintenance shed with adjoining RACV Cape Schanck, which is where we find course Superintendent Scott Calder.

Scott, who has spent almost three decades in the industry, has worked around the country – and indeed the world – but is happy to have found his long-term home at The National. Here since 2007, Scott has been struck by what he describes as “big changes,” in the world of course maintenance.

He cites an increased focus on occupational health and safety, and is pleased to say that the club and the industry more broadly are making great strides.

“It is huge compared to when I started – and so it should be,” he says.

“We are dealing with dangerous sites… where a lot can go wrong, but to the credit of our guys (at The National), we are pretty much leaders I feel.”

Such operational considerations are increasingly part of the picture for Scott, who explains the challenge of being a Superintendent – where the focus shifts to the management of people – as well as turf.

“You talk to any Superintendent two years into their role, and they don’t realise how much time staff management can take up – especially when you’re trained to be on the course looking after the turf.”

That said, Scott’s fingerprints are all over everything on The Old, as he coordinates a plan to help the iconic course to flourish.

By ensuring different parts of the course are given attention at the right time of year, Scott and his team of thirteen are able to navigate the challenges of distinctive terrain and sometimes volatile weather, to present a special golf course.

“Playability is our main thing,” he says.

“But you also want to enhance the views, not only of the golf course, but the surroundings, the ocean and up to Arthur’s Seat. 

“We need to find a balance…and I hope that most of the time we get it right.”

Although the pressure can be significant, Scott is conscious of taking moments to appreciate the beauty of where he works.

Be it taking a guest up to the seventh, or enjoying some quiet time at the back of the fourth tee, there are no shortage of special moments on Old that simply never age.

“You only have to walk around here over the first few holes to know you’re somewhere special.

“I can’t say I have a particular favourite, but at varying times of year, different holes grab you in different ways.”

Recognising his experience at The National, Scott also was recruited to take his skills to Paris earlier in 2024, where he was part of the 100-strong ground staff at Le Golf National for the Olympic Games.

While the scale is slightly different, he observed that the routine and effort put in by him and his staff at The National, isn’t dissimilar to that of the crew at Le Golf National.

“I found that what we do day in, day out here is just as good as what they’ve got going on over there.

“And we tend to do it with much smaller crews.”

For all the time he has worked in golf there is one thing that keeps Scott coming back. No matter the challenges of maintaining courses through tough weather, or trying to keep members and guests on side, it is pride in the work of his team that gives him the most satisfaction.

“It does take a lot of effort, and it’s not a 38 hour-week kind of job,” he concludes. 

“But there is nothing better than being able to sit down at the end of the day or have a quick drive around just to see all the work that’s been done and how it’s been presented.

“Seeing the course in great condition – it gives you a fair bit of satisfaction and pride.”

Simon Page

Long Island Superintendent

As we speak with Simon Page at Long Island, there is a buzz of activity all around. As part of the redesign which began in 2023, the Ogilvy, Cocking and Mead team (OCM) are busily shaping holes and pathways, while one of Simon’s apprentices is cutting the eleventh green.

“It’s having its first cut at 5 millimetres after a top dress,” Simon explains. “So, it is actually the first time we have cut this new green into shape.”

Such milestones are coming thick and fast for Simon, regardless of the fact that he has been at Long Island since 2015.

A turf-maintenance journey that began with Leigh Yanner at Moonah Links, Simon got the best possible grounding in the industry – including working at two Australian Opens – but describes the current rebuild at Long Island as simultaneously the most exciting and challenging time of his career.

“Obviously there has been a lot of change, but it is good to be involved with designers and they really take on board what I say,” Simon reflects. “They really appreciate my knowledge of the course.”

At the same time, Simon and his team have been committed to ensuring that the membership still have the opportunity to play at Long Island, even during an ambitious redesign that aims to place the course into the country’s upper echelons.

“That has been the one of biggest challenges of the project,” Simon concludes.

“Ensuring we have always have holes in play, while also working out what needs to be done with the build has been quite a juggling act.”

As it stands, the build has entered a particularly exciting phase, where Simon can see his revamped golf course coming to life. As final shaping is done, bunker lips are cut in and greens get cut to opening height, it is starting to feel like all the work has been worth it.

To that end, Simon believes that by the time OCM has finished, the course will have risen to its true sandbelt potential.

“It has always been a fantastic property here,” Simon says. “And OCM are discovering that; opening up the channels and using the land to its full potential.

“It is really exciting to have a true sandbelt course within the portfolio of National courses.”

Simon and his team are keen to embrace the challenge of maintaining a new course, as well as maximising the different routings that will be available at Long Island at the conclusion of the build. 

Just another thing for members to get excited about, it poses opportunities for the ground staff as well.

“I think the multiple course routing options are fantastic,” Simon notes. “Even though it will be challenging to set up initially and take some adjustment. 

“But ultimately, it will just be so fantastic for the members to have that.”

It is fitting that Simon left us with that sentiment; one that so neatly encapsulates every aspect of maintenance across the properties at both Cape Schanck and Long Island.

Because down here, if the ultimate result of their work – however arduous – will benefit the membership, that’s the primary driver for the course teams.