The first few days at Royal Melbourne showcased a beautiful natural Melbourne sandbelt course and great Australian hospitality. Richard Forsyth explained in the orientation meeting that the goal is to show sandbelt golf to the world by keeping the course firm, fast, and rugged. Short grass surfaces will be pristine but the rough and bunkers will look very natural.

Paul and I have gotten used to the course and the jobs over these days. Mowing surfaces, watering, divoting, and detail work have been the priority so far. The course is very firm and fast already. I’m excited to see how much better it can get by the first round. 

We have been able to meet much of the staff and volunteers, who are mostly Aussies or Kiwis, as we learn our tasks. We have also met the other four Americans; Mike Stell and Parker Henry are from Quail Hollow, host of the 2021 Presidents Cup, Kyle Hegland from Sand Hills, and Andrew McDaniel, an American superintendent at Keya Golf Club in Japan. This is off to a fun start to the Presidents Cup!