the newer bermudas are gaining
traction. Koga Golf Club in Fukuoka
has become the first in the country to
plant a full 18 holes with MiniVerde,
supplied by American firm Atlas Turf
International, and observers reckon
the results could lead to many others
following suit.
“The MiniVerde holds up better in
the summer and gives the bentgrass
greens a break during the summer
months,” said Dr Noriaki Aoki, Koga’s
assistant general manager and director
of maintenance. “Some people worried
about the MiniVerde greens being too
fast in the winter, but they don’t get as
fast as zoysia in the winter. The grass
blades are more upright than zoysia
and can control the putt better.”
If Atlanta Athletic’s decision to
convert (which was covered in an
earlier
By Design
) was the tipping
point, then the recent announcement
by Pinehurst that the No. 2 course will
be transitioned next year, after it hosts
the US mens’ and womens’ Opens
back to back must be the final proof
that the pendulum has swung in favor
of warm season grasses.
No. 2, which recently finished an
acclaimed restoration at the hands of
Bill Coore, ASGCA, and his partner
Ben Crenshaw, will be the fourth of
the resort’s eight courses to switch
to ultradwarf.
The conversions follow successful
installations of ultradwarf bermuda
greens at Pinehurst over the last
year. Thistle Dhu, the new putting
course, has become very popular
since opening in August 2012, and
the greens on No. 1 were converted
last July. Because ultradwarf bermuda
greens are installed with sprigging
rather than seeding and thrive in the
heat, No. 1 reopened for play in just
60 days.
The three courses will be converted
to Champion ultradwarf bermuda
“We’re always looking to enhance
the Pinehurst golf experience, and
these conversions will allow our
members and guests to experience
championship conditions for even
longer portions of the year, and
regardless of weather,” says Pinehurst
president Don Padgett II.
“Bermuda has improved
significantly over the last several
years with the development
of the ultradwarf varieties and
establishment of best maintenance
practices. They have become a
great option for the North Carolina
climate,” says Bob Farren, Pinehurst’s
director of grounds and golf course
maintenance. “Our members and
guests have been thrilled with the
results on No. 1 and Thistle Dhu,
as we’ve been able to sustain firm
greens with a smooth, fast and
consistent roll. We’re excited to be
able to maintain those conditions on
three more courses.”
•
ASGCA member architects have the
experience and expertise required to
help you make decisions about the turf
choices that are best suited to your
course. Visit
to find an
architect near you.
13
Suffolk Golf Course (main pic) and Atlantic Athletic Club (top right) have transitioned to bermuda.
Pinehurst has converted its No 1 course and will do the same for No. 2 (bottom right) after the 2014 US Opens.
