2021 Golf Course Renovation

Recently it was announced that the golf course at Olde Florida will undergo a renovation next summer. An outline of the project is below.

History

Constructed in late 1992 and early 1993, Olde Florida opened for play in October of 1993. Since our opening, the golf course has only been re-grassed once and that was 20 years ago during the summer of 2000.

The original turfgrass on the greens was TifDwarf. Although TifDwarf was released in 1965, in 1993 it remained the standard for putting greens in the Southern United States. During the renovation of 2000, we replaced the TifDwarf with a newer variety, TifEagle. TifEagle was released in 1997 after extensive testing under the name of TW-72. Test sites included one at Olde Florida, which was planted in 1994. 

Also, during the renovation of 2000, the remainder of the golf course was re-grassed with certified TifWay 419, which was released in 1960. In 2000, it was still considered the standard for Southern golf courses. 

The bunkers at Olde Florida were not renovated in 2000. They are “original construction,” and after 27 years, many have lost their shape, and several of the faces have deteriorated resulting in a loss of turfgrass. The greens were also not rebuilt in 2000, just re-surfaced.

Contamination 

As is commonplace in warm season turfgrass, especially on golf courses with a 12-month growing season, the turfgrass at Olde Florida has been contaminated with different strains of bermudagrass over the last 20 years. The different textures and colors of the numerous varieties of bermudagrass at first were just cosmetic, but over time, some of the less desirable varieties have become extremely challenging to maintain to the expected level. This situation is seasonal and dependent on climate and/or pest pressure. Since a large percentage of the membership is not comprised of year-round residents, the challenges with the different varieties might have gone unnoticed by some. 

After close to 10 years of intensely managing the situation, with each year becoming more challenging and time consuming as the percentage of “off type” bermudagrass increased, the board of directors and I agree the situation has reached the level that a complete re-grassing of the fairways, tees and rough is required. The project has been delayed as long as possible. 

An example of the multiple varieties (weak and strong) at Olde Florida on hole 2. Picture taken October 2019

Turfgrass Research/ Improvements

  

Since the renovation of Olde Florida in 2000, numerous improved turfgrass varieties have been released. Some of the advantages of the new varieties include improved drought, wear, cold and shade tolerance. As new varieties have been released, we have installed test plots to evaluate them from both a playability and management perspective. Some of the varieties for fairways, tees and rough that we have evaluated extensively include TifSport, Celebration, Latitude and Bimini. I have also reviewed data from research trials and made numerous site visits to other golf courses and sod farms to evaluate these and other varieties. 

In conjunction with the University of Georgia, establishing a greens variety test at Olde Florida 

Performing speed readings on the greens variety test at Olde Florida 

I have also had lengthy conversations and visits with agronomists, turfgrass researchers and extension specialists on the topics of bermudagrass eradication, soil properties and turfgrass selection. Individuals I have consulted with include: John Foy, former USGA Agronomist; Dr. Brian Schwartz, University of Georgia; Dr. Bert McCarty, Clemson University; Dr. Mike Richardson, University of Arkansas; Dr. Fred Yelverton, North Carolina State University; and Dr. J. Bryan Unruh, University of Florida. At my request, Dr. Unruh also made a site visit to Olde Florida this winter to evaluate physical soil tests performed on the greens as well as to review the proposed renovation process and timeline. 

After years of consideration, the variety that we feel will provided the best playing surface and has the most positive management improvements is TufTuf. TifTuf is a hybrid bermudagrass that was extensively tested and evaluated for over 10 years and was co-released by the University of Georgia and the United States Department of Agriculture in 2014. TifTuf can better withstand drought and traffic than previous commercial releases. In addition, it is generally faster growing and maintains turfgrass color longer in cool weather. This is a link to more information on TifTuf.

A TifTuf tee at Olde Florida on hole 16

Bunker Improvements 

As previously reported, the bunkers at Olde Florida were constructed 27 years ago and have never been rebuilt. Since that time there have been several innovations that have helped to improve the playability and reduce maintenance of bunkers. In particular, several liners/systems have been designed that greatly reduce washouts. With an average of close to 70″ of rain a year, the staff spends an exorbitant amount of time repairing washouts. It is extremely taxing on our staff and time consuming. After extensive research as well as onsite trials with several of the liners/systems, we have determined that the Better Billy Bunker system is the preferred method for the planned renovation. 

The 2021 renovation will include the removal of the existing sand, limestone gravel and drainage pipes in all the bunkers. The pipes will be inspected and replaced only if needed. The original bunker lines (shape) will then be established in consultation with Rees Jones Inc. No architectural changes, additions or deletions are going to be made to the bunkers. Next, the subsurface drainage trenches will be cleaned, pipes reinstalled and new granite gravel added. Granite gravel will then be installed in the floor of all bunkers, and the Better Billy Bunker system will be installed. The proper depth of sand will be added and, of course, checked/maintained annually. This is a link to information on the Better Billy Bunker system.

Greens

As previously detailed, the turfgrass on our greens was replaced in 2000, but the subsurface/greens construction is original. After extensive conversation, testing and consideration, it has been decided to not renovate or resurface the greens in 2021. 

While there are estimates on the lifespan of USGA greens, there are also many variables that need to be considered. There are several things we have working in our favor, which have enabled us to extend the life of the greens. First, they were correctly constructed with materials that met USGA specifications. Second, we have properly maintained them for the last 27 years. Cultural practices have been sufficient that we have not developed any significant subsurface challenges. 

Before making the decision to not renovate greens we also had several random selected core samples analyzed by an accredited soil testing laboratory. The reports we received confirmed that the physical properties (saturated hydraulic conductivity, porosity and bulk density) are good. While still within the desired range, since the renovation in 2000 we have developed a 7″ layer of organic material on top of the original USGA greens mix. Therefore, we will begin incorporating a few additional cultural practices this summer, such as Drill and Fill and DryJect. Both of these contracted services will provide a channel filled with sand that will improve percolation and rooting of the turfgrass. These practices will continue over the summer of 2021. This is link to an article published by the USGA on extending the performance of mature putting greens.

A 4" core sample of a green at Olde Florida 

A profile sample of a DryJect injection

A DryJect demo at Olde Florida

Finally, although a couple of new varieties have been released for use on greens, and several others are in testing; at this time, there haven’t been any new varieties released that can provide a significant improvement in playability or management.

Irrigation 

The project will also include the replacement of the irrigation heads. The PVC piping and ductile iron fittings (below-ground components) are original, but in 2010, the irrigation system was converted from a hydraulic-controlled to an electric-controlled system. At that time a few additional improvements were made including: additional mainline piping, additional quick-coupling valves for hand watering, new satellite controllers, new isolation valves, a new pump station and new electric heads. After 10 years, we are experiencing increased head failures, and we feel that due to significant improvements in head design, replacement at this time is warranted. 

Timeline

One of the most vital aspects of the proposed renovation is the eradication of the existing turfgrass. Bermudagrass eradication is extremely challenging, in part, due to methyl bromide (a soil fumigant) being removed for the golf course market in 2009. 

Extensive research has been performed on bermudagrass eradication that does not include methyl bromide. The two studies that are definitive and have provided the best process are a 1988 study out of the University of Georgia, followed by a similar study performed at the University of Arkansas in 1998 and 1999. The results of both show that multiple applications with a combination of non-selective herbicides over a several month period are necessary to achieve 96-99% eradication. In addition to the multiple applications, recent research from both the University of Tennessee and the University of Arkansas has shown that the addition of aggressive detaching with fraze mowing can enhance the efficacy of the chemical control. All of the above recommendations will be followed at Olde Florida in 2021.

Consequently, to achieve acceptable eradication of the existing bermudagrass, the golf course will be closed for two days, March 15 and 16, 2021, to make the initial herbicide application. The golf course will then reopen for play until the second application on April 19, 2021. At that time, the golf course will close for all play and will reopen on Monday November 1, 2021.  

This is a link to an article detailing some of the research that has been performed on bermudagrass eradication.

Additional Resources 

This a link to an article detailing the "History of Bermudagrass Turfgrass Breeding Research in Tifton, Georgia."