By Jeff Eldridge :: Photos by Nick Menger
As you can see from the photos, grassing of the west end of the Practice Park is complete!
The new area features two new 4,500-square-foot greens — one for pitching and chipping and one for practice putting. The chipping green is contoured to accept shots from several angles and distances, including shots from the 1,400-square-foot practice bunker. Contours on the practice green are much more subtle to allow for several areas of practice putting. The complex also features two teeing areas — one next to the building which is reserved for use with the Golf Performance Center and the other farther south which is for general usage. The Golf Performance Center tee is 2,500 square feet in size, while the main tee measures a generous 17,000 square feet.
All areas are designed and grassed to mimic areas on the golf course. The tees are grassed in Zeon Zoysia to match the tees and fairways and the greens are Bent grass just like the greens on the course. The bunker is constructed like the other golf course bunkers and includes the same white sand shipped in from California.
Customized water and fertilizer inputs have ensured a successful July opening of the teeing surfaces, and the greens are scheduled to open this winter. As final touches are added to the Golf Performance Center, this fantastic amenity for members and their guests will provide a wonderful area to practice both indoors and out.
Jeff Eldridge, CGCS, is the Director of Agronomy at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jeldridge@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9179.
