By Design – Issue 52, Spring 2021

27 other tournaments. The PermaEdge bunker system helps contain sands from the green surface.” Richardson’s design also needed to accommodate the robotic Ping Launch Monitor that is housed in the test building adjacent to the green area. “Safety, relative to this area, was paramount to the design, requiring a layout that allows access to the adjacent practice range while also permitting security to isolate all areas when prototype equipment is being demonstrated or tested. Thus, the presence of security fencing had to be considered during the planning of irrigation and controls.” The project also included detailed GPS slope analysis of the completed green surface so that it is aligned with putting tracking technology, allowing putts to be measured and compared to cross-slope, gradient and green speed metrics. • Location: Phoenix, Arizona Golf course architect: ASGCA President Forrest Richardson www.golfgroupltd.com Project summary: Golf equipment manufacturer Ping tasked ASGCA President Forrest Richardson with the creation of a practice green and bunker at its professional demo center in Arizona, with the required precision to enable tour professionals to hone skills and test new clubs. Partners: Wadsworth Golf Construction (construction); Better Billy Bunker (bunker liner); Toro; Ewing Irrigation; Hunter Industries (irrigation); IVI-GOLF (PermaEdge) PING PROVING GROUNDS “ The putting and chipping area must offer a variety of slopes and breaks” The new practice area at Ping's professional demo center in Arizona allows tour professionals to practice shots and test new clubs Photo: ASGCA President Forrest Richardson