Kooindah Waters Golf Club greens restoration reaping the rewards

POSTED ON June 28, 2017 @ 9:00 am

One of New South Wales’ premier golf courses, Kooindah Waters, has undergone an extensive course restoration over the past few months and is relaunching some great new greens for members and public to play on.

The club management is excited to launch the course’s new Bent grass putting surface after the old greens were severely damaged during the hot summer months.

Using groundwater to irrigate, which is high in iron and salt, made it difficult to meet irrigation requirements and the club suffered significant turf loss to all greens, ranging from 10 to 50+ per cent, during the high temperature days in early February.

After seeking expert opinion, the club decided to over sow the existing G2 bent grass with a blend of A1/A4 bent grass seed with a much more superior tolerance to salt and heat. With a similar colouration to the previous G2 grass, the new greens blend seamlessly into the existing turf.

The initial process completed late February was to verticut, solid tyne, seed and top dress.

Switching to fresh water during the repairs, using fire fighting tanks and pumps, made the grow-in phase a balancing act with the most affected areas having to be replaced with temporary greens for the wetter months of March and April.

However, under the management of Troon’s Director of Agronomy – David Lunardelli and General Manager Andrew Porter, the club successfully managed to allow the course to be open during the entire process.

Golf Professional and Kooindah Waters’ ambassador Andre Stolz said: “I’m amazed at how quick the recovery has been. Playing today you’d never know anything happened.”

Over the three months of turf maintenance the course standards have been lifted significantly, with not only better presented turf surfaces and bunkers, but playability has been improved along with landscape upgrades.

Kooindah Waters general manager Andrew Porter said: “Adversity was staring the club in the face, being a Top 100 golf course and known previously for having some of the best greens in Australia, a comprehensive recovery plan was required to overcome this calamity,”

“The club has implemented Troon International policies and procedures to provide best water management practices and a heat policy over summer months to ensure the best possible playing surfaces in all conditions. The club has also recruited a new Superintendent – Justin Rankin, who comes with extensive experience working at high end golf courses including Pinehurst, Kauri Cliffs, Moonah Links and Torquay Sands.”

The launch of the new greens solidifies the course’s new higher standards, with owner Harman Global having made significant capital improvements over the past two years with more cart paths built, new golf carts with Visage GPS, the installation of new irrigation pumps, drainage improvements and the rebuild of the bunkers on the 6th hole.

Rugby league legend and club ambassador Jamie Lyon said: “Kooindah’s greens were always pure and they’re getting back to the good old days,”

“You feel like you’re escaping it all when you’re up here. I love the short par 3s in particular because while they may look tame enough from the tee, they force you to play great short-iron shots to avoid trouble. Such challenges are why I keep coming back.”

Public play, groups, golf days, membership and resort accommodation are all available at this residential golf facility just north of Sydney.

Come and play to see how well this club has recovered just months after a major setback of turf loss. Visit Kooindah Waters’ website for more information about golf and membership options.

ENDS

For further information contact General Manager Andrew Porter,

phone: 02 4351 0700

email: aporter@kooindahwatersgolf.com.au

website: www.kooindahwatersgolf.com.au