New Oakley Bentgrass Greens For Spring Valley Golf Club
Story originally published by ASTMA on 22, Aug 2025
Spring Valley Golf Club in Melbourne is nearing the end of the first phase of its major course masterplan works under the auspices of OCM Golf. Since the start of July, the Melbourne Sandbelt club has embarked on a staged greens replacement program, with the first four greens – 10, 11, 18 and the practice putting green – all reconstructed and being grassed with Oakley bentgrass. While some clubs around the country have been interseeding their greens with Oakley, the Melbourne Sandbelt club is among the first in Australia to fully convert to the new variety, joining Yowani CC in Canberra which is also undergoing a major course redevelopment. [..]
With the club wanting to explore all options regarding grass selection, superintendant Craig Anthony undertook extensive research. After analysing the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials in the US, along with Dr Jim Baird’s trials at the University of California, the decision was made for Anthony to travel to the US to see the varieties in a climate similar to Melbourne. He visited trial sites in California, Nevada (Shadow Creek GC), Utah and Oregon, along with courses that had recently undertook similar greens replacement programs. Following those visits and inspections, Anthony made the recommendation to the Spring Valley Board to proceed with Oakley.
“We decided to go with Oakley for a number of reasons,” says Anthony, who has been Spring Valley superintendent since late 2021. “It has good drought and disease tolerance, has an upright growth habit and has the ability to withstand very low inputs of nitrogen while maintaining adequate density with the 60,000-plus rounds a year and shaded greens we have. The opinion was that most of the new generation bents are good, although organic matter accumulation could be a problem if not managed accordingly. To combat this the club has agreed, every 8-12 years, to mechanically remove all the organic matter and reuse the existing turf if free of Poa annua.”
Spring Valley Golf Club
After the club gave Anthony the green light to proceed with Oakley, the Spring Valley crew established a 5500m2 bentgrass nursery to be used throughout the project, with the idea to solid turf greens when appropriate to lessen the disruption to members. The first stage of works began in early July, shortly after Anthony’s return from volunteering at the 125th US Open at Oakmont Country Club. All greens had the organic matter and sand profile removed to a depth of 450mm. Grey dune sand, mined from the greens, has been kept for future green and bunker construction. [..]
Story: Brett Robinson with Craig Anthony; Photos: Craig Anthony/Spring Valley GC
Why choose Oakley Bentgrass
Oakley Creeping Bentgrass is the next generation of greatness in Bentgrass cultivars, topping the charts in the latest NTEP for both Greens and Fairways/Tees. Oakley shows strong seedling vigor and has a beautiful medium green colour.
√ Top rated turf quality for Greens, Fairways & Tees
√ Dollar Spot resistance
√ Excellent spring, summer & autumn density
√ Fine leaf texture
√ Exceptional seedling vigor
√ A-list approved
