Compiled by John Pryor
Some of the news items mention individuals. This is all done with the intent of keeping people informed about where people are in a good-natured way. If you have a problem with your name being mentioned here, please let me know and I will not use it on the web site.
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COMING EVENTS - POSTED ON 30 NOVEMBER 2011
Holidays and events to help with your travel planning.
| DAY | DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | 25 Dec 2011 | Christmas Day |
| Sun | 1 Jan 2012 | New Year's Day |
| Mon & Tue | 23 & 24 Jan 2012 | Chinese New Year |
| Wed & Thu | 29 Feb & 1 Mar 2012 | US Golf Industry Show in Las Vegas
Click here for their web site... |
| Mon to Wed | 12 to 14 March 2012 | Sustainable Turfgrass Management in Asia 2012 Conference. Pattaya, Thailand.
Run by Dr Micah Woods Click here for their web site... |
| Fri to Sun | 16 to 18 March 2012 | Beijing China Golf Show at the China National Convention Center
Click here for their web site... |
| Fri | 6 Apr 2012 | Good Friday for Easter |
| Sat | 1 May 2012 | Labor Day |
| Sat | 5 May 2012 | Vesak Day |
BOWRAL CONFERENCE - 22 NOV 2011
Another conference to get updated with product, this time from Toro. This was held in Bowral in the cool and picturesque "Southern Highlands" south-west of Sydney (Australia). Another informative conference with talented attendees and presentations. Also an opportunity to catch up with Kenne James who worked in Singapore in the 1990s when I was establishing Hydroscapes Pte Ltd (the Singaporean sister company of Hydrogold Pty Ltd).
ASIA PACIFIC GOLF SUMMIT IN PATTAYA - 31 OCT TO 2 NOV 2011
This event, organised by Mike Sebastion, attracted the leaders of the golf industry in Asia. Unfortunately some were put off by Bangkok's worst flooding in 50 years which (fortunately) did not affect Bangkok's International Airport or the summit in Pattaya. Bill Sanderson set the tone with his keynote address on change. We were also treated with an address from tennis great Jimmy Connors.
Bob Moore represented JMP Golf Design (a regular Client of Hydrogold) on a discussion panel. Others on the discussion panels were Howard Swan (worked with Howard on Skytop Golf Village in India), Ron Carlyle (worked with Ron on the Yunghan Country Club in Taiwan), Lee Sellars (Lee was on Discovery Bay Golf Club at the start of our irrigation renovation there) and Bob Hunt (worked with Bob about on the Masters Golf and Country in Guangzhou in China back in 1999 - OK, showing my experience, not my age, there).
John Pryor of Hydrogold presented the topic "Renovation - A Unique Opportunity to Lay down an Excellent Irrigation Plan" to the Golf Course Superintendents attending their conference next door.
Another great summit and I look forward to its return to Pattaya in 2012.
ANGKOR GOLF RESORT - 18 JUNE 2011
Hydrogold designed the irrigation system for this Nick Faldo golf course back in 2005. Six years later an opportunity arose for me drop by the course. It was a pleasure to see the good condition that Jim Gubricky (left) has kept the system in. During all that time he has been well supported by the Contractor, Thaik Din of Forest Park Machinery (on the right). I also took time to visit the iconic temples at Angkor Wat (made famous in films like "Raiders of the Lost Ark").
HAMILTON ISLAND CONFERENCE - 12 MAY 2011
Rain Bird offered a few days of training on their products. Setting it in beautiful Hamilton Island off the Queensland (Australia) coast, it was hard to say no - so I didn't. It was a good conference made better by the calibre of the attendees pictured (David Hanby, Ben Chapman, Sean Trainor, Mark Gwynne, Dean Johnson, Tony Spinks, Peter Brueck, Tony Kanaris, Alistair Mackie, John Pryor, Colin Campbell, Stephen Dougan, David Shane, Marcus Turpin, Samir Shah, David Beddingfeld and Darren Rowlatt).
DATAI BAY GOLF COURSE - 21 FEB 2011
John Pryor on site at the The Golf Club at Datai Bay, Langkawi, Malaysia. This golf course is set in beautiful rain forest with the 19th hole playing to the Andaman Sea. We previously designed the irrigation system for the renovation of this golf course in 1996. It is again being renovated (under Ernie Els Design) and we are pleased to continue our involvement with this golf course. By the way, it is a treat to spend time at the nearby "The Datai" Hotel if you have a chance.
LAGUNA HUE GOLF COURSE - 15 FEB 2011
On site at the Laguna Hue Golf Course outside of Danang in Vietnam being constructed for the Banyan Tree Group. This was a coordination visit with David Mathews (International Golf Resort Management) on the left and Paul Jansen (Faldo Design Architect) on the right.
SWAN VALLEY VINEYARD (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) - 10 FEB 2011
John Pryor on site with Peter McMaugh (Australian Turf Pioneer) and Michael Coate (Landscape Architect). This site was being assessed for conversion to a summer concert venue.
SANTA LUCIA GOLF COURSE AFTER BRISBANE FLOOD (AUSTRALIA) - 15 JAN 2011
I was in Brisbane when the worst floods in 37 years peaked causing widespread damage to property including golf courses. This photo shows my size 16 footprints in the mud left on the tees at the Saint Lucia Golf Course. No golfers to be seen. A massive cleanup operation was about to start. I also saw a bit more of what works and does not work for protecting flood-prone sites.
HYDROGOLD'S DESKTOP CALENDAR - POSTED 1 JANUARY 2011
Click here to download Hydrogold's 2011 computer desktop calendar...
Gives you a calendar background for your computer desktop with significant Asian region holidays and industry events.