A day on the green
At the crack of dawn, hours before the first eager golfers of the day tee off at Collier Park Golf Course, groundskeeper Izabella prepares for a busy day on the green.
It’s no easy feat keeping the 27-hole public golf course at an international standard, but it’s a job Izabella and the team take very seriously.
“We arrive at 5am and then for the first five minutes, everyone gets in a circle and we all do some stretching,” Izabella says.
After warming up, the team splits up to tackle the day ahead; three are assigned to the mowers, others begin grooming the bunkers, while some maintain the driving range and practice greens.
“It's very different every day and I've always liked to work outside – I never wanted to be locked in an office,” Izabella says.
Izabella’s “office” comprises tree-lined fairways, picturesque lakes and an abundance of wildlife.
“The scenery is beautiful in every season,” she says.
Just six months into her role with the groundskeeping team, Izabella says her position offers her a unique perspective on the sport she’s surrounded by every day.
“Golf is getting more and more popular with women; I’m starting to see a lot more of them take up the sport – and on Ladies Day every Wednesday, they dominate the course,” she says.
Izabella has joined the team at a pivotal time with the City and Clublinks working together to deliver a proposed $18 million development for the golf course. This will see an additional two-storey driving range and improved facilities, but will have no impact on the course's much-loved layout.
The proposed development will include upgrades to the food and beverage offerings, making it an attractive destination not just for golfers but local diners.
The course has already enjoyed a rise in popularity since the City invested $2 million in a new mini golf facility in 2021.
More than 120,000 rounds of golf were played at Collier Park Golf Course last financial year.
Izabella and the groundskeeping team remain committed to keeping the fairways and greens beautifully manicured and maintained.
“Everyone takes pride in their work here, so it is nice to be part of that and my boss is very passionate about being environmentally friendly, which has been great to learn more about.”
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