Claude Crockford Award 2018

Jason Lavender from Riverlakes Golf and Country Club, pictured above with wife Samantha and father Graham, was announced at the AGCSA President's Dinner as the 2018 Claude Crockford winner. At the Presidents Dinner in front of 340 industry colleagues, Jason was recognized for his commitment to enhancing the natural environment at the club. Jason started as superintendent at Riverlakes in 2012 and with limited resources has managed to improve the course in particular in the areas surround California Creek. Some of the key achievements include stabilising the creek banks against erosion by replanting creek fringes, enhancing the aesthetics of the area by providing extensive connected areas of vegetation, encouraging the return of native wildlife.

“It’s a great honour to win this award and to sit alongside previous winners. It’s very special to me, the highlight of my career, and to have my dad and lovely wife here tonight is a big thing for me,” Jason said in his acceptance speech. “Riverlakes is a small facility with limited resources but we try our very best with our environmental practices. I love my job and have a great team that put endless hours into the course day in, day out.”

The AGCSA Claude Crockford Environmental Award recognises golf course superintendents for their commitment to sustainable land management, long-term environmental planning, community involvement and overall environmental stewardship of their golf course.

The award, which is presented at the annual AGCSA Australian Turfgrass Conference, is named in honour of Claude Crockford who was superintendent at the world-renowned Royal Melbourne Golf Club between 1937 and 1975. While Royal Melbourne is famed for its greens, it was Crockford’s championing of golf course environmental management which he is most remembered for within the industry. That legacy continues today through the Claude Crockford Environmental Award.

In these times of heightened environmental awareness and regulation, the AGCSA Claude Crockford Environmental Award takes on great significance. With golf courses now under increasing public and legislative scrutiny, environmental management and responsibility has become a primary concern for the modern day superintendent.

This award has become one of the most sought after at the annual presentation ceremony and always attracts a highly competitive field of nominees. Winning the AGCSA Claude Crockford Environmental Award is something that the entire club can take pride in. Syngenta is the proud sponsor of this award.

Nominees for the AGCSA Claude Crockford Environmental Award must work within an organisation that employs a current AGCSA member. All valid nominations will be judged individually by members of the AGCSA Board with input from independent industry experts as required.

Selection criteria include the demonstration of a commitment to sustainable land management, long-term planning, community involvement and overall environmental stewardship of the golf course and its surrounding environment. Protection of indigenous plant and animal populations, restoration of habitat and a desire to protect sensitive areas are also highly regarded aspects of this award.