The Conway, Ark., property switched from bentgrass, which requires constant maintenance during hot Arkansas summers due to a shallow root system, to Champion Bermuda grass, which was developed for the climate in Southern states, joining three other area courses.
Centennial Valley Country Club in Conway, Ark., has completed its transition from bentgrass to Champion Bermuda grass, the Conway-based Log Cabin Democrat reported.
The previous bentgrass greens is better for cooler summers or coastal locations. The delicate grass, which offers golfers a smooth putting surface, can be cut low and handle a lot of foot traffic, and requires constant maintenance during hot Arkansas summers because of a shallow root system. Champion Bermuda grass was developed for the climate in Southern states, the Democrat reported.
“The course is in excellent shape,” Centennial Valley Director of Golf Mike Smith said. “We have resurfaced the greens. We changed from bentgrass to Champion Bermuda grass because it likes the hot weather. We also hired a new superintendent last August, and he has put his own personal touches on the course and has made it look like a new area.”
The three other courses in Conway, Nutters Chapel Golf Course, Conway Country Club and Cadron Valley Country Club, have used bermuda grass on their greens. Smith said Centennial Valley is the final course in the city to make the switch, the Democrat reported.
“We’re really one of the last ones in the area to make the switch,” he said. “There are a couple in Little Rock and Memphis. I think the greens will be better, but it will be more difficult to play.”
Smith said bentgrass was popular when different grasses become fashionable years ago. “Most courses prior to the mid-70s, the style was to switch to bentgrass,” he said. “It’s really hard on budgets because of our climate. Different grasses are en vogue.”
Smith said the process of switching greens was easy. “We applied chemicals to kill the grass,” he said. “Basically, you have to quit maintaining the grass to roughen the surface, and then there’s a sprigging process. Then, you apply sand and baby it with water.”
Smith said the club has yet to have a major tournament, but has hosted smaller tournaments for members and everyone he’s talked to seem to like the new grass, the Democrat reported.
“We have yet to have major club events, but we’ve had maybe 25 tournaments at the club,” he said. “I know we have 100 golfers at our course, but the quality is slightly firmer.”
The pros from the three other courses in Conway said their courses are in great shape and have not heard any complaints from the players, the Democrat reported.
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