Selected as part of John Deere’s Women in Turf Program, the participants worked as volunteers alongside the experienced Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club greenkeeping team in preparing the course for the 2026 Australian Women’s Classic, an event broadcast internationally as part of the Ladies European Tour.

Across a full week of tournament preparation, the group was immersed in the day-to-day demands of championship-standard course presentation, where pressure and precision shaped every task.

Magenta Shores Course Superintendent, James Newell, said the participants quickly adapted to the intensity of tournament week.

“The girls had a variety of jobs from mowing green surfaces, tee surfaces and fairways, to raking bunkers and networking with the crew,” Mr Newell said.

Women in Turf participants worked alongside the Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club greenkeeping team in preparing for the 2026 Australian Women’s Classic.

“They really caught up to speed quickly and exceeded expectations. That energy and willingness to learn make a real difference during a week like this.”

For Leah Heyward, a qualified greenkeeper from Port Stephens, NSW, the experience reinforced the level of discipline required at the championship level.

“Everything is 100 per cent attention to detail,” Ms Heyward said.

“You want to look back at your work and think, ‘Wow, I did that… professionals are going to play on a course I helped prepare.’”

Beyond the technical experience, the program also fostered strong connections between participants, giving them an opportunity to share experiences and build industry networks.

For Holly Kenyon, a greenkeeper at Te Arai Links in New Zealand and the program’s first international participant, the opportunity to connect with others in the industry was a standout.

“I’ve made some great connections and friends with all the girls and we all uplift each other,” Ms Kenyon said.

The 2026 Women in Turf participants also included Carrol Davey from Toronto Golf Club in NSW, Pania Chadderton from the City of Kwinana in WA, Jorgina Kean from Sun City Country Club in WA, and Sienna Lee from Rich River Golf Club in Moama, NSW.

John Deere Australia and New Zealand Small Ag and Turf Marketing Manager, Erin Wagstaff, said the John Deere Women in Turf Program was designed to create visible and practical pathways for women working in turf management.

“The program gives participants direct exposure to elite tournament preparation, but it also shows women across the industry that there is a place for them in this career,” Ms Wagstaff said.

“It’s about showing what’s possible. When women can see themselves in these roles, they’re far more likely to pursue them.”

John Deere Golf and Turf Sales Manager, Corey Clark, also said the program plays an important role in building capability across the industry.

Women in Turf participants undertake tasks including greens preparation for the 2026 Australian Women’s Classic.

“The main benefits of the Women in Turf Program are to highlight the importance of women in industry and give them exposure to what goes into the job day-to-day,” Mr Clark said.

“It helps drive their interest and gives them the confidence to take the next step, develop their skill sets and continue building a career in turf.”

Mr Newell said programs like Women in Turf were critical to the industry's future.

“It’s a very male-dominated industry, and we’d love to see more women being able to get opportunities to step into some of these senior roles,” he said.

As the program continues to grow, its impact will be felt across the industry, with the women returning to their home clubs with new skills, broader perspectives and greater confidence.

For women looking to start a career in turf or take the next step, Ms Chadderton had this advice:

“Give it a go. Find your pathway. There are so many different things you can do with it.”