Barwon Valley superintendent receives lifelong honour

BARWON Valley Golf Club’s top course manager has been recognised for his four decades of service to golf clubs around Victoria.

Barwon Valley’s superintendent Colin Foster received this year’s Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association (VGCSA) Recognition Award for 2024, at a special awards ceremony last week at the Yarra Yarra Golf Club.

Mr Foster said it was a special feeling to receive the award from the state association representing superintendents around Victoria, an association he spent multiple years on the committee of.

“To be nominated and then voted in for this award, was a very happy occasion for me personally,”

Mr Foster said.

“This award certainly doesn’t mean I’m the best superintendent in the state or anything, it’s more of an encouragement award, but it was still a really uplifting moment.”

Mr Foster’s course management career began at Peninsula Country Club in 1978.

He then spent time at a litany of courses such as Cheltenham Golf Club, Skye Golf Club, Ranfulie Golf Club, Patterson River Country Club, St Andrews Beach, and RACV Torquay, before joining Barwon Valley Golf Club in 2014.

Spending 10 years at Barwon Valley this year, Mr Foster said the Barwon Valley team is a special one.

“The best thing is the club realises and understands there is always a want to improve,” Mr Foster said.

“They recognise they need to spend money on the golf course and the committee of management has been so supportive during my time there and that’s the best thing about my job.

“I’ve always loved golf, I grew up right in the middle of the sand belt in Melbourne, so it’ll always be a love of mine, but the outdoors is a great place, and I love the challenge of presenting the golf course to the people that play on it.”

In a statement towards Colin’s achievement, Barwon Valley Golf Club said it incredibly proud to have Colin as part of its team, and it looks forward to many more years of Mr Foster’s exceptional leadership and expertise.