At the only Donald Ross-designed municipal golf course in the world, Modern Turf recently completed a renovation of the greens. The 18-hole Wilmington Municipal Golf Course in Wilmington, N.C., is headed by Superintendent Greg Cross and General Manager/Course Pro David Donovan. Originally designed in 1926 by architect Donald Ross with 21st-century renovations spearheaded by John Fought, this golf course received a total transformation in part by Modern Turf.
Carolinas Golf Magazine Review
In the Fall 2014 issue (http://www.carolinasgolf.org/carolinas-golf-magazine) of Carolinas Golf magazine, Modern Turf’s work with the Wilmington Municipal Golf Course is highlighted in a feature article. Donovan states, “I had played a number of Ross courses and knew what to look for,” after coming to the course in 2007, “[and] it wasn’t here.”
Fought adds, “I have never seen anything quite like this situation. Generally, I can find the remnants of the old green corners, but it was obvious to me that his full design was never completed.” Today, the greens have been completely overhauled thanks to the diligence and hard work of Modern Turf.
The Renovation
Using funds from the course’s enterprise fund and very limited tax dollars, the total course renovation cost approximately $800,000. This included tree removal, replacing tees, and repositioning cart paths. In addition, some new greens were created for putting surfaces for the 18-hole course with Modern Turf spearheading planting of the greens.
Modern Turf sprigged 107,000 square feet of greens with MiniVerde, which is the top Bermuda grass according to National Turfgrass Evaluation Program trials for the use of putting greens. This replaced Tifdwarf Bermuda at the course. A fumigant was used prior the establishment of the new greens. The previously existing greens mix was moved to another location before being used to sculpt new putting greens at the golf course. Collars were planted using 419 Bermuda, while Zoysia grass was used to edge the bunkers.
Perhaps the greatest improvement to the course is the redesign of the entirely flat course. Fought designed the new course to feature a range of hills and dips to provide more rolling greens. Given the course's location near the Wilmington beaches, Cross and Donovan anticipate an increase in golfing from vacationers once the renovated course opens on September 26, 2014.
About Modern Turf
Located in central South Carolina, Modern Turf provides sod, mulch and landscaping supplies to customers and clients throughout the Southeast. As a leader in sod and grasses, Modern Turf has worked with several golf courses to renovate existing greens. Following a consultation, Modern Turf does soil tests, irrigation certification, and amendments as part of the preparation before installing sod. Contact the Southeastern sod professionals at Modern Turf today for more information at http://www.ultradwarfgreens.com/
Contact
Hank Kerfoot
803.713.8873
