Hard-working ‘Chop’ Elphick remembered by golfing industry

TRIBUTES have flowed for Gunnedah Golf Club turf manager and former superintendent Ian Elphick.

Chop, as he was affectionately known, was remembered as a larger than life character renowned for his turf expertise.

The New South Wales Golf Course Superintendents Association (NSWGCSA) had earlier announced ‘Chop’ had been placed in palliative care before his death on 21 May at the age of 53.

Born in nearby Carroll, Chop’s turf management career began as an apprentice at Gunnedah Services & Bowling Club (now Club Gunnedah) in the early 1990s before going on to become the head greenkeeper.

He went on to start his own business – Chop’s Turf & Irrigation – and became involved with the local golf club in a casual capacity before taking over as its superintendent for a number of years. More recently, Chop was a board member of the state’s superintendents association.

As well as a passion for turf management, Chop’s enduring legacy will be the way in which he was always the first to lend a hand and help out others. He regularly volunteered his time, whether at tournaments helping with course preparations or behind a barbecue feeding the crew, and could always be relied upon to lift the spirits of everyone through his infectious personality and booming laugh.

Nathan Bradbury, formerly the Eastlake Golf Club superintendent and NSWGCSA president, fondly remembered the time Chop brought a whole pig and a spit to an association education day and cooked for everyone.

Long-time friend and current Coffs Harbour Golf Club superintendent Matt Duff, who started his apprenticeship at Gunnedah Golf Club in 1994 when Chop was head greenkeeper at the bowls club, had his mate along for the ride when the club hosted the 2025 Australian Women’s Classic last March.

In true Chop form, he pitched in to help reinstate the course after extreme weather hit the region, with his forever positive outlook (and barbecue skills) keeping morale high despite the shocking conditions.

Back in the day, Duff used to lace up alongside Chop for the Gunnedah Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club, playing in a number of back-to-back premierships together in the mid-1990s. A talented front rower, Chop would go on to play in the Bulldogs’ First Grade side which claimed its first premiership in 13 seasons in 1998. Outside of footy, Duff credits Chop for taking him under his wing and acting as a mentor during his early days as a greenkeeper and was someone he always looked up to, not only as a turf manager but as a person as well.

Unsurprisingly, there was an outpouring of emotion across the turf industry following the news of Chop’s death.
Craig Paget, formerly of Nuturf and now national business development manager – consumer professional solutions with Australian Agribusiness, summed up best the thoughts of many turfies who had been fortunate to know the great man.

“He brought a smile to so many faces, was a wonderful turf manager and ambassador for the industry,” Paget said.
“Always there to help anyone. A quintessential Australian that brought the country to the city, whenever he attended an event or volunteered at tournaments. He will be missed.”

Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) board member Mark Findlay, of Werribee Park Golf Club, penned a tribute to Chop.

“To my old mate Chop, will miss you deeply, the conversations we had over the phone, the conferences we attended together. You will be sadly missed by everyone in the turf organisation. You were one of a kind. I will miss you RIP,” Findlay wrote.

Current Eastlake Golf Club superintendent and former Lakes assistant Simon Blagg described Chop as a “true-blue Australian legend”.

“A man who would always say hello to everyone and help anyone in need. We will miss your laughter and your kindness. Rest in peace my good friend,” Blagg said.

Chop was a long-standing member of both the NSWGCSA and ASTMA. The board and staff of the ASTMA joined with the NSWGCSA in sending their sincere condolences to the Elphick family.

Chop is survived by his wife Leanne and their four children Christopher, Sam, James and Annie.

He was farewelled at a funeral service held at the Gunnedah Rugby Club on 29 May.

DYLAN SMITH