Turfworx

Main Image: Pinnacle Point Estate

When the South African Landscapers Institute dished out their coveted SALI Awards this year, one Southern Cape-based company raked in a great many accolades for work done at some of the Garden Route’s most prestigious estates and golf courses.

Not only did Turfworx earn bragging rights for gaining seven SALI Awards in a variety of categories for work done at several local estates, but two of these were top trophies, countrywide: their labours at Thesen Islands earned them Best Landscape Maintenance ’22, and their input at Pezula’s putting/chipping green landed Turfworx this year’s prize for Best Specialised Turf Construction.

Did we mention that this was ‘countrywide’?!

‘We were approached by Willem Jacobs in July this year to prepare a presentation for the maintenance of Kingswood Estate,’ says Turfworx CEO, Danny Maritz.

‘It was a great privilege for us to be appointed on 1 November as the elected company responsible for KGE’s maintenance.’

Impressive worx history

Turfworx was co-founded by Danny in 2007 – a full two decades after he commenced his career in the horticultural industry in 1987 at the City Council of Pretoria, while studying Parks and Recreation Management through Technikon RSA. In 1996, Danny was recruited by TurfTek as a contract manager.

He went on to become regional director for the golf division at Servest Turf, where he had 11 golf courses under his care.

In the years since establishing Turfworx in George, Danny has successfully completed a ream of industry-related courses, such as a National Certificate in Sports Turf Management, UCB Groundsman Certificate, National Certificate in Turf Irrigation, and a Certificate in Turf Pest Control at Tshwane University of Technology.

Danny’s experience includes the fields of Golf Course Budget and Financial Management, Golf Course Construction, Design and Project Management, Nursery Production (Malanseuns Nursery), Fertilising and Pest Control, as well as Training and Management of Staff.

As a member of BIGGA International (the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association Limited), one of the Turfworx team’s earliest accomplishments was during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, when they were responsible for the construction and maintenance of three home bases.

‘We are operational across the Southern Cape and currently maintain Pezula Golf Course, Oubaai Golf Estate, Welgelegen Estate, Earls Court, Thesen Islands and Knysna lifestyle estates, and now Kingswood Golf Estate,’ says Danny.

At the helm

According to Danny, Turfworx stalwart Hannes van Niekerk and his team are already hard at work on the extensive Kingswood property. The majority of this team comprises personnel who worked with the previous contractor, so for them it’s familiar territory.

The rest of Danny’s management team is Sanet Maritz (estate divisional director horticulture) and Abri de Kok (division manager estates). ‘Our team brings a total of 80 years’ experience to the table, with emphasis on the maintenance of estates and golf courses,’ he says. ‘The group’s core purpose is the rendering of services to world-class standards, using modern technology, the best equipment, and innovative methods for the benefit of our clients and the pleasure of all those who use our facilities.’

What’s on the slab for Kingswood?

Turfworx plans to improve all high-profile areas, such as the estate’s main entrance, to kick off operations at KGE. Explains Danny: ‘Our initial focus is to do a thorough cleanup, including the pruning of trees, shrubs and plants in need of immediate attention. There is also a great need for new plant material, which we will grow and nurture in the nursery. Our management has very high expectations, and all possible resources will be used to bolster our efforts of ensuring that Kingswood becomes one of the jewels in our crown.’