Alden Pines
is located on an island off the west coast of Florida, just North
of Naples. I became a co-owner and the Superintendent of Alden Pines
County Club in 1993 after graduating from Lake City Community College.
Alden Pines was planted in Seashore Paspalum because after construction
of the golf course, no supply of fresh water could be found. The
cost of an R.O. plant was way beyond budget and the best water quality
available was brackish at about 5,000 PPM, which is still being
used today in conjunction with other sources of "salty water".
That first summer I was at Alden Pines, a tropical
storm swept north through the Gulf of Mexico and left my front nine
fairways flooded with seawater. I was fearful, to say the least,
of what may happen to my golf course during the next few days. Knowing
very little about Seashore Paspalum, I was amazed at what actually
did happen. Within two days after the salt water receded, any weed
species that were present were showing severe signs of decline from
the effects of the salt water. But the Paspalum seemed to green-up
and actually show signs of vigor.
On that day in June of 1993, I had the realization
that I was dealing with a very unique turfgrass. I have put Paspalum
through many different uses and environmental scenarios since then.
From fresh water (less than 500 PPM) to brine water (45,000 PPM)
and everything in between. Summer temperatures near 100 degrees
F. with a humidity of 95% and no rainfall at all for several months,
to winter weather with five consecutive mornings of frost, 30 degrees
F. air temperatures and 42 degrees F., soil temperatures. In the
summer of 1995 we had monsoon rains totaling 14 inches in one week
that left the Paspalum under one foot of water for 5 days. Yet after
all of these adverse weather and environmental conditions, the Paspalum
still held up strong. Seashore Paspalum has taught me a lot in the
last 12 years and I'm a firm believer that there are many uses for
this turfgrass.
The greatest thing about having the opportunity to
work with all of the Paspalums at Alden Pines is that I am able
to evaluate the turf under actual golf course use conditions. I
have learned from many mistakes that I have made. I know most of
the pros and cons of Paspalum, and have had the opportunity to devise
and test many different maintenance programs that Paspalum may need
for all of its potential different applications.
The turf industry has gotten several of its best
paspalums from this 25 year old golf course. SeaWay®, SeaGreen®,
SeaDwarf and Sea Isle 2000 all originated from Alden Pines Country
Club. There are many others in the industry who have worked very
hard to develop and promote Seashore paspalum and they have done
an excellent job!
If you are interested in Paspalum and want to find
out as much as you can about this unique and newest turfgrass, please
send me an email, as
I'm sure that I can be of great help to you. |
