From Monterey, California, to Melbourne, Australia: A Global Conversation About the Impact of Technology for Modern Golf Course Maintenance
The past few weeks have been particularly meaningful for the SkimTurf™ Management team. Our journey took us from the beautiful coastline of Monterey, California, for the MCOR26 Conference, to Melbourne, Australia, for the ASTMA Conference & Trade Show. Although separated by thousands of kilometers, both events shared something remarkable: a community of golf professionals united by the ambition to the environment in which the game of golf is played.
MCOR26: Elevating playing conditions through technology
The MCOR26 Conference once again demonstrated the strength and vision of the golf industry. We would like to thank the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) for organizing another outstanding event that brought together multi-course owners, operators, and industry partners from across the United States.
Beyond the valuable conversations and new connections, one message particularly stood out. During a presentation on artificial intelligence by former Amazon executive Trent Gillespie, a quote perfectly captured the scale of the opportunity ahead:
"When intelligence is no longer your limit, imagination is."
Artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, and data analytics are rapidly transforming what is possible in golf course management. The question is no longer whether these technologies will shape our industry, but rather how creatively and effectively we can apply them to deliver better playing conditions, improve sustainability, and optimize resources.
At SkimTurf™, our mission is to bring these technologies together into one golf course maintenance software and make precise turf management a practical reality for golf course operators and maintenance teams.
ASTMA26: Bringing seamless precision turf management to Australia
Immediately after Monterey, our journey continued to Melbourne for another exciting milestone: our first-ever participation in the ASTMA Conference & Trade Show.
From the moment we arrived, we could feel the energy and enthusiasm of the Australian golf industry. We had the privilege of attending the ASTMA National Awards Dinner, celebrating the superintendents and professionals whose dedication continues to elevate standards across the industry.
The conference itself provided an exceptional opportunity to meet leading golf courses, exchange ideas with superintendents, and discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of golf course maintenance in Australia.
One message became increasingly clear throughout our conversations: the challenges facing golf courses are remarkably similar around the world. Elevating playing conditions, sustainability objectives, resource & labor efficiencies, and the need for better data-driven insights are universal priorities.
Powered by satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, precise turf management has become a practical reality worldwide. Technology knows no borders, and we were delighted to share our expertise while learning from the experiences and perspectives of Australian golf professionals.
One Industry, One Shared Vision
Travelling from Monterey to Melbourne reinforced something we have long believed at SkimTurf™ Management: innovation happens when people come together to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and embrace new possibilities.
Whether speaking with multi-course operators in California or superintendents in Australia, the conversations consistently centered around the same objective: how can we create better golf experiences while managing our resources more intelligently?
The answer increasingly lies in combining human expertise with technologies that provide greater visibility, deeper insights, and more informed decision-making.
As we return from these two inspiring events, we do so with renewed energy and conviction. The future of golf course maintenance is being shaped by a global community of passionate professionals, and we are grateful to be part of that journey.
To everyone we had the pleasure of meeting in Monterey and Melbourne, thank you for your conversations, your ideas, and your trust.
The journey continues, and we are excited for what comes next.
