Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Maintaining a Masterpiece Print E-mail

The things that make Turnbull Bay Golf Course unique and special are the very same things that make growing the grass an art and not a science. The giant Oaks that guard the greens and shade the tees are a special challenge to the golfers at the greens and a pleasant relief from the sun on a hot summer day as they tee off . These trees were saved with great care during the construction of the course. Growing grass that is shaded most of the year takes a special talent and daily tender loving care. Even with all the care in the world, the greens must be rejuvenated every few years just to survive in the atmosphere provided by the abundance of shade.

Not only does Turnbull have an abundance of shade, it was developed along Turnbull Bay as part of the Turnbull Bay drainage basin. Twenty one ponds were developed as part of an internal drainage system to protect the bay. The use of chemicals such as fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide and fungicide are closely monitored and they are used sparingly. Whenever possible weeds are controlled mechanically, (cut or dug rather than sprayed) Vibratory rollers are used on the greens to drive insects crazy so they go away, rather than spraying with insecticides. Fertilization is done at such a time and in such a way that it is used by the plant before there is much chance for run off in our ponds.

IMG_2872Many of the native plants and grasses were retained during construction to keep the natural look of the wooded and wet land areas. Cord, and pampas grass, wild azaleas, lantana, tropic ferns, palmettos, palms, along with the large oaks and pines are part of the course and line the fairways and surround the tees and greens. The shell cart paths are a major feature of the course rather than the accepted nuisance of concrete or asphalt on most Florida courses. The shell was mined on site when we artfully carved the many ponds that are features on all but one hole on the course. Once you have played Turnbull, you fondly remember every hole on the course by one of the natural features.

With all the extra hard work and added expense and the fact that it takes the course longer to heal from the attacks of insects, fungus and the ever present shade, it's all worth it when the golfers realize they have played an environmental masterpiece.

This golf course lives in harmony with deer, fox, raccoon, turtles, the great blue heron, storks, cranes, egrets, osprey, red tail hawks and even a gator or two. Our golfers and staff enjoy and protect our critters; they just make it that much more fun to play an "Environmental Masterpiece."