Strathalbyn Trainee Curator Carly Elliott was recently participated in a four day scholarship working at the Sandy Links Golf Club in Melbourne developing her knowledge about turf management and preparation. Carly was selected from a large field of applicants from all around Australia, with only four people being selected to participate. Carly has been working at Strathalbyn Racecourse for just over eight months and has seen her passion for turf management grow.
Turf management is vital for racecourses to ensure that the track is in pristine condition for each race meeting. The importance of ensuring the track recovers and repairs in between race meetings is crucial to the success of racing around the state.
The scholarship opportunity was provided through the Australian Sports Turf Management Association via their ‘Women in Turf Management’ program where they offer opportunities to women in the industry to further develop their skills.
Discussing the opportunity Carly explained, “I saw that there was an opportunity with Sandy Links Golf Course and as I have never worked on a golf course before saw this as a great opportunity to learn about a different type of turf management.”
Carly spent four days leading up to a golf tournament at Sandy Links Golf Club working on the golf course. Seeing what types of preparation was undertaken to ensure the turf was at its best for the tournament.
“It was amazing to see a female superintendent work at the golf course”, Carly continued, “Seeing the differences between our industry and golf was fascinating.” The differences ranged between the types of grassed used in golf compared to horse racing, and even down to the difference in length of grass.
Women working in the turf industry is disproportionately low and this scholarship is part of a program which aims to attract more women to the industry and increase retention rates.
The four days away allowed for Carly to spend time with other women in the industry and develop a network of colleagues from around from the New South Wales North Coast all the way across to Western Australia.
“It was absolutely a worthwhile trip, even though I was a bit nervous going into it. I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone and took the chance.”
The skills and experience that Carly gained during this scholarship will be an incredible benefit to Strathalbyn Racing Club and to Country Racing in South Australia. Carly is part of a cohort leading the way of women in turf management and is helping break down barriers to allow more women to follow her into the industry.
Strathalbyn hosts their next race on Wednesday 22 March and includes the South Australian round of the National Apprentices Series. Get your tickets today via Moshtix.
