69 “The goal was to improve and polish the course without changing it,” says Pate. “Our aim was one of architectural preservation, to modernise the course, but to keep it familiar. We also wanted to elevate its agronomic conditioning, enhance the overall aesthetics and improve its long-term sustainability.” One of the first jobs was to map green contours, a task that would be repeated during construction and post-renovation. Greens, fairways and tees were regrassed to Pure Dynasty paspalum – developed by Pure-Seed Testing and marketed by Atlas Turf International and Pure Seed – to replace the mix of grasses. “Pure Dynasty paspalum was selected for several reasons,” says Birtel. “It is an extremely durable turfgrass and highly salt-tolerant, critical factors given our location directly on the Caribbean Sea. We already had experience with this grass on the greens and surrounds at La Romana Country Club, which gave us confidence in both its performance and long-term management. The turf is already performing well and providing firm conditions while maintaining high playability and visual definition.” Dana adds: “With the competition for water across the resort becoming fiercer, the real possibility of using desalinated seawater for irrigation is an approaching reality. The paspalum turfgrass will allow for this in the future. Developing a desalination system for the golf irrigation is likely not too far away – this will allow for all the river water to be used for the potable uses across the community and greatly enhance the resort’s sustainable initiatives.” The decision to introduce a new turf variety led to the return of some contour. “Going to paspalum greens, we sought to enhance the percentage of slope slightly since the paspalum would play slower than the previous bermuda greens,” says Dana. “This would preserve the design intent at that point in the course’s evolution. We also used historic photographs to return interesting pin placements lost over the years and expand greens.” Lost hole locations have been reinstated on the second and holes thirteen to seventeen. The front section of the third, back section of the tenth and front of the eleventh were also expanded after the discovery of old green profiles during construction. A nursery was built on site before the renovation began and included paspalum for sprigs and sod, Zoysia for bunker faces, signet grass for rough and pajon for native areas. “It was invaluable, particularly given the TEETH OF THE DOG “ The goal was to improve and polish the course without changing it” Lost pin positions have been reinstated on several holes, including the second Photo: Pat Koenig
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