County to renovate golf course with entirely new grass

By John Johnston
Managing Editor

Golf is a game in which a player, using several types of clubs, hits a ball into each hole on a golf course in the lowest possible number of strokes. Moreover, golf is one of the few ball games that does not use a standardized playing area; rather, the game is played on golf "courses," each one of which has a unique design and typically consists of either 9 or 18 separate holes.

With varying degrees, the preceding is generally accepted as the standard description of golf.

The Okeeheelee Golf Course in central Palm Beach County has received $90,375 for renovation of the course’s 27 holes, Palm Beach County commissioners said. Funding is from the Park Improvement Fund reserve and the 2002 $50M GO Parks & Cultural Improvements Bond referendum.

New Grass

Included in the renovations will be an upgrade of the grass to a newer variety of Bermuda grass.  Switching to the new Bermuda grass “will improve the golfing experience significantly and will also result in maintenance cost savings,” said commissioners. The United States Golf Association agronomist has recommended that the golf course be switched to the newer variety of Bermuda grass.

The course itself is located within the 1,702 acres of Okeeheelee Park. It includes 27 holes of championship golf, as well as extensive practice facilities and a full service pro shop.

Commissioners said the course was built in 1994. At that time, the golf course greens were grassed with a variety of Bermuda grass that has since mutated and become contaminated.

“As a result of these problems, the performance of the greens has declined and they have become inconsistent in their response to maintenance practices and weather conditions.”

Commissioners said that monitoring has determined that switching to the new Bermuda grass “will improve the golfing experience significantly and will also result in. maintenance cost savings. The United States Golf Association agronomist has recommended that the golf course be switched to the newer variety of Bermuda grass.

The current project consists of renovating 18 holes with the new Bermuda grass; the remaining nine holes are recommended for renovation in FY2009, commissioners said.