by Joy Cressler

Created on: October 07, 2008

Golf courses strive to continue going green'

As Americans continue "going green," golf courses are charged with staying green while employing efficient water use and eco-friendly principles.

For one Metroplex golf course, that meant ripping up the greens this summer and replanting a type of grass that requires much less water.

Hawks Creek Golf Club in Fort Worth, Texas decided to remove the solid Bent grass they've used for many years and replace it with a hybrid grass called Mini Verde, which is more suited to a Texas climate - heat and drought resistant.

"Bent grass is the absolute perfect grass to putt on," said Hawks Creek general manager Alison Wise. "But it's a northern grass that takes a lot more water to keep green. It's doesn't do so well in 100 degree Texas heat."

She said three workers called syringers were required to hand water the Bent grass each afternoon, cooling it down for about eight minutes or the top layer of grass burns off. Another drawback is that Bent grass stops growing at 85 degrees, plenty of water or no.

"Water is a commodity not everyone may have," she said. "I am hoping to save 20-30 percent on the golf course water bill and perhaps 15 percent on the electric bill by pumping less."

Hawks Creek closed in June, replanted the new grass in July and reopened Sept. 8 to the public, after allowing 11 weeks for the grass to become established.

Wise said the administrative staff had no idea one year ago that they might replace the grass.

"As other courses try some things to conserve water and become more eco-friendly, we may consider making changes, too," she said.

For example, staff is allowing some of the non-green areas of the golf course to return to nature.

"We're not trying to manicure those areas as much, like the outside of the rough, because it helps on water and labor," Wise said.

Finally, Wise said Hawks Circle traded all four walk-mowers for two triplex riding mowers, which is believed to use less fuel and oil.

"We're hoping that we can recoup our investment in 3-5 years," Wise said. "All these things will allow us to maintain the course on a lower operating budget."

Other golf courses are making similar changes, but some are making fewer improvements. Still others believe their golf courses are as water efficient and eco-friendly as they can be right now.

For example, the city of Arlington's Tierra Verde Golf Club has won two awards on their golf course, both related to the golf course's limited use of water and its eco-friendly management.

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