NEWS RELEASE January 29, 2024
The Story of the Royal Military College Golf Club
Crestmead, Queensland (29 January, 2024) — At one of Canberra's most iconic institutions, you can find one of its best kept secrets.
For more than a century, the Royal Military College (RMC) in Duntroon has been preparing cadets for roles in the Australian Army.
The heritage grounds located five minutes from the CBD feature training facilities, classrooms, accommodation and, unbeknownst to many, a public golf course.
Historical records suggest golf was played at RMC prior to the onset of World War One, with a small number of cadets constructing a nine-hole course with sand greens near the location of the current course.
After RMC relocated to Sydney and eventually returned to Canberra, a golf club at the campus was formally established in its current location, with soldiers and staff members playing the first official competition rounds in June 1962.
The course is detailed in "Hidden Gem: The Story of the Royal Military Golf Club":
On first viewing the RMC course, it looks to be a relatively straightforward, not particularly long, nine-hole course. The first-time player soon finds that looks can be deceiving. The tree-lined fairways are reasonably wide but any visit into the trees can quickly cause major problems. Most of the greens present a relatively small target but are generally true and fast.
The man tasked with maintaining those greens is club Superintendent, Luke Nakkan.
"Describing RMC Golf Club as a hidden gem is very fitting," Mr Nakkan said.
"When you drive past and see the mounted guns at the entrance to the college, you wouldn't assume there'd be a public golf course here. But this club has such a rich culture and history.
"You get the atmosphere of a 'proper' club, but there's a real country feel too.
"Personally, it's been a real breath of fresh air working here. I had my first full weekend off recently, but I actually wanted to be back at the club working.
"I receive great help from the amazing volunteers at the club. No job is too difficult with their support."
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Luke Nakkan, Superintendent of Royal Military College Golf Club in Duntroon.
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Luke Nakkan on RMC Golf Club's 7500A E-Cut Hybrid Fairway Mower – part of the club's new John Deere fleet.
Mr Nakkan has also been given a helping hand by local John Deere dealer Stephen Foster from Hutcheon & Pearce.
After initially enquiring about just two machines, the club has now completed a full shed conversion to John Deere.
"The more I spoke to Stephen about the equipment and financing options, it became clear that getting a whole fleet of John Deere would be best for the club," Mr Nakkan said.
"The previous machinery did the job okay, but I spent hours every week on maintenance. I broke down the numbers, and with efficiency improvements as well as financing, the club will be saving tens of thousands of dollars each year with this fleet conversion.
"Stephen's been fantastic to deal with, going back and forth on pricing and working out an arrangement that suited us best. Hutcheon & Pearce are doing a full-service log for us as part of the financing, so I don't have to worry about oil changes, filters, belts and all of that stuff anymore.
"It's going to take a big load off my shoulders, and the new equipment is just going to make this place sing."
RMC Golf Club's new John Deere fleet includes a 2750 E-Cut™ Hybrid Triplex Mower, HD200 SelectSpray™ Sprayer, 1200 Hydro Bunker Rake, 2700A PrecisionCut™ Triplex Mower, 7500A E-Cut Hybrid Fairway Mower, 1570 TerrainCut™ Front Mower and scarifier unit.
Mr Nakkan said the new equipment is helping modernise the club.
"I hardly recognise the course from when I started, so it's an exciting time for the club," he said.
"We want to honour that rich military history while also keeping things fresh. Upgrading to brand new John Deere machinery is helping us move away from some old practices and breathe a bit of new life into the course.
"It's an investment that will keep paying off for a long time to come."
About John Deere:
Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, golf & turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and See & Spray™ are just two of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com or in Australia at JohnDeere.com.au.
Media Contacts:
Tim Vetter
tim.vetter@bluehillpr.com.au
0439 681 793
