A great golf course does not happen by accident.

Most golfers arrive at the course, see the freshly cut fairways and carefully prepared greens, and begin their round without seeing the many hours of work that made it possible. We recently spoke with Tamborine Mountain Golf Club’s Course Superintendent, better known around the club as “G,” to learn more about the work, planning and dedication required to maintain a golf course on the mountain.

The Challenges of Maintaining a Mountain Course.

One of the greatest challenges of maintaining Tamborine Mountain Golf Club is the weather. Because the course sits at a higher elevation, it experiences plenty of rain, wind and significant temperature changes between summer and winter. At times, the mountain can appear to move almost directly from one season into another, with very little spring or autumn in between.

These changing conditions make it difficult to maintain consistent grass growth across the entire course, particularly during the colder winter months.

For the maintenance team, every season requires careful observation, planning and adjustment.

Creating a Course Players Can Enjoy

For G, the most rewarding part of the job is presenting a course that players can enjoy and be proud of. Whether it is creating clean mowing patterns, preparing the greens or making sure the overall course looks neat and well maintained, the goal is to produce something that excites golfers when they arrive.

The team takes pride in presenting the course to the highest possible standard. When players see the freshly prepared course and react with the same excitement they might have when watching a professionally maintained course on television, the hard work becomes worthwhile.

Much More Than a Monday-to-Friday Job

One of the biggest misconceptions about greenkeeping is that it is simply a regular Monday-to-Friday occupation. In reality, golf course maintenance continues across weekends, public holidays and important family occasions. Depending on the weather, course conditions and upcoming competitions, some working weeks can become extremely long.

The job also does not necessarily finish when the team leaves the golf course. There may still be hours of computer and administrative work required at home, including irrigation programming, fertiliser planning, chemical programs, budgeting and organising future maintenance. The team does not plan only a few days ahead. Course maintenance, contracts, budgets and seasonal programs often need to be organised months in advance.

Greenkeepers Are the Ultimate All-Rounders

Maintaining a golf course requires knowledge across many different trades and professions.

In addition to understanding turf and grass growth, a Course Superintendent may also need skills relating to:

• Irrigation and plumbing
• Machinery and electrical equipment
• Arboriculture and tree management
• Chemical and fertiliser application
• Workplace management and human resources
• Budgeting and accounting
• Contract and supplier management
• Environmental and weather management

As G explained during the interview, greenkeepers are often expected to become “jacks of all trades.”

All of these different responsibilities come together for one purpose: presenting the best possible course for golfers.

What Makes Tamborine Mountain Golf Club Special?

Tamborine Mountain Golf Club has several qualities that make it a unique place to play and work. Its elevated location, surrounding natural environment and community atmosphere give the course its own distinct character. Another particularly special feature is its bentgrass greens.

Many golf courses throughout the Gold Coast region have changed to different turf varieties, making traditional bentgrass greens increasingly uncommon. Maintaining these greens throughout the year, particularly for a smaller community club, requires considerable skill and commitment. For visiting golfers, the bentgrass greens offer an experience that is becoming harder to find elsewhere in the region. Combined with the natural surroundings and friendly club community, they help make Tamborine Mountain Golf Club a special place.

How Golfers Can Help Protect the Course

Players also have an important role in helping the maintenance team protect the course. Repairing pitch marks, replacing divots and following cart instructions are all simple actions that can make a significant difference. G’s main advice is to use common sense when driving golf carts around the course.

When an area appears wet or muddy, golfers should avoid driving through it and choose a firmer route instead. Following another cart through a wet area can quickly create additional damage and unnecessary wear. A small amount of care from every golfer can save the maintenance team many hours of repair work.

A Team Working Behind the Scenes

The next time you play a round at Tamborine Mountain Golf Club, take a moment to appreciate the work happening behind the scenes.

The greens, fairways, bunkers and surrounding areas are the result of year-round planning, early mornings, long working weeks and a team committed to presenting the course at its best.

We thank G and the entire course maintenance team for their continued dedication to Tamborine Mountain Golf Club.

Watch the full interview to hear more about the challenges, rewards and realities of maintaining one of the mountain’s most important community sporting facilities.