NATIVE PLANTS
ABOVE PAR
ON GOLF COURSES

By Bruce Berlin, Guest Columnist, July, 2001

Golf courses offer us a place to get away from it all, to get some exercise, and to participate in a sport that has become a passion for many. The golf industry is so much a part of our culture that business meetings are often conducted during foursomes. In addition, tours and tournaments have a larger fan base than ever, and it's become difficult in some areas to get a tee time.

Because of the games growing popularity, there has been a surge in golf course construction and redesign. In many locations, golf courses and residential units are constructed as golfing communities for diehard duffers.

Going Native

Currently, there exists a great sense of responsibility to design golf courses that assimilate into the surrounding hills, blending manmade structures with native vegetation and topography. It has now become very desirable to have an OB (out of bounds) area on the course planted with native grasses and forbs; which are then left somewhat unmanicured - in sharp contrast to the lush and well-groomed fairways and greens. The interest in native plants on golf courses is fueled by an appreciation for the benefits they bring, including providing a natural habitat for birds and other wildlife, as well as the long-term reward of having to maintain fewer chemical- and labor-dependent plantings.

There is also much more plant material available for establishing native plantings, since the seed and nursery industries are now able to supply larger quantities of plants, as well as finer quality more suited for golf course fringes and natural areas.

Staying On Course

One course that has utilized native grass material on its perimeters is Stone Tree Golf Course in Petaluma, California. Stone Tree's course superintendent, Kevin Prysesski, cites the advantages of planting native grasses.

"We get lots of favorable comments on how beautiful the course is," said Kevin. "And it doesn't take as much effort as I thought it would to maintain these wild areas. The seasonality and the lack of water, fertilizer, chemicals and maintenance all work in our favor. It just makes good sense."

For Stone Tree type results, there are specifics that must be included in the pre-plant, design phase of a course.

First, one must recognize that native plantings are generally seasonal and are not always green, or - in the case of flowering plants - do not flower. While some might expect that additional watering and feeding will make these plants green up, excessive water and food during the dormant cycle may cause harm.

Because of this dormant period, locate plants in an area where they are not under close inspection, such as along an outer fringe or steep swaleas opposed to around the clubhouse, tee boxes, or greens.

In the golf course rough and out-of-play areas, establishment of such a natural landscape can take several years, along with weed control and patience.

Once established, native grasses, forbs and flowers can provide permanent and highly ornamental groundcover, fewer weeds, a reduced fire hazard, excellent erosion control, a wildlife habitat, and less maintenance, including reduced chemical and water demands.

A Seedy Business

Seedbed preparation is of prime importance when establishing perennial native grasses and forbs. Annual grass and weeds must be controlled using a grow and kill cycle, where the planting area is fertilized, watered, and then encouraged to sprout the weed seed. This is followed by a chemical spraying of glyphosate to eliminate a new crop of weeds. This must sometimes be done in two cycles, and is imperative for the elimination of as much weed competition as possible, since many perennials put their energy into root development rather than top growth during the first year.

Seed has the best prospects for success when planted just below the soil surface or when provided with an organic mulch.

Many projects utilize a drill seeder or a Brillion seeder, which lays the seed in the ground and covers it with a small amount of soil. Optimum time for seeding is just prior to the grasses' normal growth season.

Often, however, the deadline for a golf courses opening is not realistic for allowing a stand of perennial native grasses to establish.

Carolyn Leach, Natural Resources Manager at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande, California, knows too well the difficulties of coordinating native grass plantings - which can take 9 to 18 months - with a set timetable.

"It wasn't until we got a handle on the weeds and the watering - nearly at the 15-month stage - did we think we had a planting to be proud of," said Carolyn. "We get some great comments about the way the course looks throughout the year, even when the native grass plantings are completely dormant."

The achievements of Cypress Ridge were formally acknowledged when it became an Audubon Honored golf course.

The amount and variety of birds we get on our course is a testimonial to how well we have created a desirable habitat for them, said Carolyn.

Indeed, the Audubon Society has a very specific program that lists the criteria for a golf course to receive its prized designation. Among the Audubon Society's requirements is that a golf course must create an inviting habitat for all fauna, especially birds, as well as minimize the amount of chemicals used on a course.

Expert Advice

More information about establishing native plants can be found through the trade show and Web site of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

And, for S&S Seed customers, planning a golf course is just a phone call away.

"We have assisted and supplied so many different courses in the area," said Victor Schaff of S&S. "We're happy to give good, practical advice on species selection and options."

Bruce Berlin is a horticulturist and vegetation consultant.

For more on native plants: Audubon Society, http://www.audubon.org, or the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, http://www.gcsaa.org.

Albright Seed is a Division of S&S Seeds.

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