Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our team, Nick Kinley, who has recently accepted the position of Course Superintendent as Darren Wilson transitions into retirement.
With over 25 years in the greenkeeping industry – including nearly 12 years as Superintendent at Hartfield Golf Club – Nick brings a wealth of experience, an appreciation for the outdoors, and a passion for course presentation.
Originally from New Zealand, Nick moved to Perth at eight and has called it home ever since. His career in greenkeeping began in 1998 with an apprenticeship at The Vines Resort, fresh out of high school. Whilst there, he helped prepare the course for the Heineken Classic, where he experienced one of his personal career highlights: an early morning encounter with Ernie Els, “The Big Easy.”
Nick worked as Assistant Superintendent at Mt Lawley Golf Club from 2004 to 2013, before taking on the Superintendent role at Hartfield. Interestingly, this isn’t his first time at Wembley – he also worked here briefly in the early 2000s, making this new chapter both a return and a step forward.
His interest in greenkeeping was sparked by a love of the outdoors. While landscaping and gardening were early aspirations, it was a high school work experience placement at The Vines that introduced him to greenkeeping – and he’s never looked back.
Nick is passionate about the process of maintaining and perfecting playing surfaces. He finds great satisfaction in the lead-up to major events, where timing, teamwork, and preparation come together to deliver a course in top condition.
Off the course, Nick enjoys an active lifestyle filled with sports and family. He plays cricket during summer, follows the footy in winter, enjoys rounds of golf with mates year-round, and supports his daughters at their weekend netball games.
Wembley Golf Course presents a new and exciting challenge for Nick, with its scale of operations and volume of patrons differing from private clubs. But with prior experience at both of Perth’s 36-hole facilities and a familiarity with some of the amazing greenkeeping team, we’re confident Nick will hit the ground running.
We’re thrilled to welcome Nick back to Wembley and look forward to the expertise and enthusiasm he brings to this new role.
