Watching the grass grow…

Forgive us, if the staff and management of Eagle Ridge sit back for a moment or two with a sigh of relief and a smug smile. The results of much labour, risk taking and chewed fingernails is laid out for all to see – pristine, velvety Santa Ana couch grass on every fairway with barely a dirt patch to be seen. It wasn’t always this way. Whilst we have always prided ourselves on being “the green the others envy”, the drought was taking its toll and water restrictions were looming large. To top it off, our irrigation system needed an overhaul and other repair and maintenance jobs on the course were screaming to be completed. To our perfectionist Superintendent Scott Balloch, there was no other way – we had to change all the grass on the fairways to more drought tolerant varieties and the other works had to be done at the same time. Once that decision was made, we faced a timing dilemma: keep the course under repair for 2-3 years and change the fairways and other work progressively (resulting in annoying our members and green fee players for extended periods) or “take the hit” and close the course over the 2007/08 summer and get it all over and done with? We chose the latter, and had the golf industry scratching its head wondering if we could do it.

Changing all fairways to Santa Ana couch and all green surrounds to Creeping Red fescue turf is a mammoth task in itself. Upgrades and improvements to the irrigation system were also made as well as a repair and maintenance program for the course and facilities. The primary objective of the whole project was to increase watering efficiency and provide an optimal playing surface, but the groundstaff team also took the opportunity to rejuvenate, laser-level and beautify several tee areas, particularly the 3rd, 6th and 15th holes. The 3rd tee has had 1000 square meters of Winter Green couch placed down along with a newly created entry path and areas of associated landscaped gardens which give a wonderful visual impact within the teeing confines. The back teeing area at the 6th has been enlarged, raised and retained by a stone brick circular wall creating practicality for multiple tee positions. A domed viewing platform has been placed behind the 6th green for golfers to enjoy the vista looking back to the newly landscaped tees. The 15th has had a total rebuild of the entire tee areas, with extensive landscaping. This hole now changes significantly as the tee position is rotated. In addition to the tee projects, the entire 8th par-3 hole was redesigned and extensive bunkering constructed, along with a spectacular retaining wall protecting the safe landing zone in front of the green.

The enhancement program didn’t always go to plan. The project began in late 2007 and the key growing month of February was one of the coldest on record – it was a hard ask to keep the couch sprigs wet (requiring 24/7 saturation) for the first 10-14 days after planting as well as needing the sun to shine for much of the growing phase. Being prepared, having a system and the right infrastructure was incredibly important to the end result of the project. That result, as we had hoped, has been a 45% reduction in water usage and a superior playing surface for all our valued golfers. The comments and smiles over the last year have been testament to the hard work put in by all involved and we are very proud. We hope you enjoy an even better game now at the greener Eagle Ridge!

For photos and more detail on the technical aspects of the project, check out this article from Scott in Australian Turfgrass Management 2009.