Chronicle garden competition: Inside Toowoomba City Golf Club’s gardens

Scorecards are a familiar sight on golf courses, but it’s Toowoomba City Golf Club’s gardens that are stepping up to the tee to compete in this month’s Chronicle Garden Competition.

Having hosted the prestigious Queensland PGA Championship for 11 years, it is no surprise to find the greens and fairways on the 18-hole course in immaculate condition.

Now it is the golf club’s gardens that are having their moment in the sun.

Greeted by a sea of colour upon arrival, carefully thought-out planting starts in the carpark and continues onto the course, where nearly every hole has its own feature garden.

“The club is very proud and supportive of the gardens, we have a vision to make them even more spectacular” said City Golf Club Head Gardener, Ian Highfield.

Toowoomba City Golf Club Head Gardener Ian Highfield – The Chronicle Garden Competition 2021.

The level of care and attention to detail required to ensure the club’s 140-acres look their best is often underestimated, according to Mr Highfield, who has overseen the gardens for three years and looked after the greens before that.

“There’s a science behind it, keeping nutrients at the right levels, working out what plants will survive and thrive in certain spots,” Mr Highfield said.

Applying innovative and sustainable horticultural practices, such as remote computerised irrigation system and gravity-led irrigation design, has enabled the club to significantly reduce the consumption of bore water they operate on.

Unlike private home gardening, the club must also consider things like low-allergen planting, garden heights and shapes that maintain motorists’ vision in the carpark – even designing hedges to allow pedestrian access or withstand the occasional reverse park gone wrong.

As one of Queensland’s largest not-for-profit organisations, the club recognises the significant role it plays in supporting the local community, distributing profits where it’s needed, and offering a destination where visitors and members feel welcome.

Feature garden at the 8th hole of the Toowoomba City Golf Club.

“It’s not just about sport. It’s about community and social connections,” said Mr Highfield.

“The gardens are just another way we give back – if we can bring some joy and brighten someone’s day with bit of colour, then I’m proud of that.”