With the recent changes in the Golf Digest criteria for golf course ratings it is nice to see recognition being given to Sagebrush for out of the box thinking.
From the beginning a philosophy was developed in that the golf course would be constructed and maintained in a minimalist manor. The fast and firm conditions that are being achieved are largely due to proper foresight at the construction stage. It all started with sound construction techniques and proper turfgrass selection. With those pieces in place the original philosophy has been adhered to by all involved at Sagebrush.
The Agronomic plan that has been developed by Armen Suny is being beautifully executed by Golf Course Superintendent Norley Calder. This plan emphasizes a back to basics in fertility and water management. With the majority today’s Turfgrass managers so tethered to computerized programs that tell them everything from how much to water to how long fertilizer applications will last, a lot of the art of Greenkeeping has been lost.
It’s refreshing to see sound agronomic principles being embraced and the fruits of their labor being enjoyed by all that are fortunate to experience Sagebrush.
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For Immediate Release
Sagebrush Recognized by Golf Digest and USGA for Leading-Edge Agronomy
Vancouver, B.C.: The Sagebrush Golf & Sporting Club, in British Columbia’s Nicola
Valley, has been identified by the United States Golf Association [USGA] and Golf
Digest Magazine as one of five examples of top golf facilities in North America using
leading-edge agronomy practices for firm & fast playing conditions.
In preparing the keynote address to 2010 Golf Industry Show, USGA agronomist Brian
Whitlark consulted Ron Whitten, Golf Digest Architecture Editor, “for examples of
courses employing leading-edge agronomy.” Whitten named five golf facilities, including
Sagebrush.
“In fact, Sagebrush was at the top of my list,” said Whitten. “This is where the game is
evolving, and Sagebrush is one of the courses proving what is good for the game.”
The USGA’s Whitlark has been researching the new approach to golf course design and
maintenance to create firm & fast playing conditions and reached out to Whitten.
Whitten’s reply was, “At the urging of the American Society of Golf Course Architects,
Golf Digest has rewritten its Conditioning criterion used in determining the top courses in
its biennial ranking of the America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses and Best in each state.
The old definition dealt with playing quality of tees, fairways and greens. The new
definition reads, “How firm, fast and rolling were the fairways and how firm yet
receptive were the greens on the date you played the course.”
“Golf Digest is urging a movement away from industry standards of heavy watering
practices,” said Whitten. “Less water usage has many benefits, not the least of which is
that it improves playability in the game.”
The inclusion of Sagebrush, SCOREGolf Magazine’s Best New Course in Canada for
2009, further elevates the unique club on the shores of Nicola Lake and its
Superintendent Norley Calder, co-designers Richard Zokol, Rod Whitman and Armen
Suny into a very prestigious and select group of courses and designers. The four other
courses identified are Bandon Dunes, in Bandon, OR; Calusa Pines, in Naples, FL.;
Ballyhack, in Roanoke, VA; and The Club at Clear Creek, in Lake Tahoe, NV.
“Whether you like it or not, given where the costs of the game are going and taking into
consideration the decreasing availability of water, as well as the environment, everybody
will be forced to cut back on water,” added Whitten.
Sagebrush, the only course outside the US on the list, is the first minimalist design linksstyle
course of its kind in Canada. The minimalist approach to golf course construction
and maintenance has proved to be both innovative and ‘green’ in an era of heightened
environmental awareness.
“The philosophies we practice are not only good for golf and the environment, but as
importantly, the business model is cost-effective,” explained Sagebrush co-designer and
Chairman Richard Zokol. “The minimalist approach to construction and the firm & fast
approach to water use and maintenance are now keys to the success of every golf course.”
Firm & fast maintenance practices and reduced water applications mirror operating costs
of decades ago. And, the approach emulates the natural evolution of classic British Isles
courses that date back centuries. With ‘deep and infrequent’ watering, a more durable
grass develops that needs less fertilizer and pesticides.
“Norley Calder [Sagebrush’s Superintendent] has done a wonderful job establishing an
excellent root-base through the first year of operations at Sagebrush,” said agronomist
and Sagebrush co-designer Armen Suny. “The philosophy is to try to mimic natural rain
events with irrigation. Grass didn’t develop over all these hundreds of thousands of years
by getting the computer-generated perfect amount of water every night. The grasses went
through dry spells and through wet spells, a process that makes plants healthier, stronger,
and better equipped to stand off disease and stress.”
The benefits of minimalist golf course architecture and firm & fast agronomy practices
are many and far-reaching for the environment and golf course operations. And, they are
just as beneficial to golfers, introducing them to a variety of shots, club selections they
may never have thought of, and a chance to play golf the way the game has been played
for most of its 500-year history – firm and fast.