Hydroturf supplies SeaIsle Paspalum grass to Emirates Golf Club

This new 7263-yard golf course is scheduled to
re-open in October 2006.

Paspalum grasses have the unique ability to thrive in high saline water. "The new turf has revolutionized the golf industry, as it allows for the construction of golf courses in areas which do not have a ready supply of 'clean' water" enthused Colin Baxter, Managing Director of Hydroturf International, the regional distributor of SeaIsle paspalum grasses. "This technique will allow Emirates Golf Club the flexibility in future years to irrigate the golf course with a seawater blend, or even straight ocean water. Many projects which were halted due to the high costs of irrigation, have now become economically feasible using this new variety of grass," stated Baxter.

Hydroturf International, will be supplying Emirates Golf Club with the SeaIsle 1 variety of paspalum, it has been developed by the College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, USA, specifically for fairways and tees on golf courses. After seven years of extensive research, combined with careful evaluation of 35 small plot golf courses, SeaIsle 1 was released in 1999 by plant geneticist Dr. Ronnie Duncan. Unlike the earlier medium and coarse bladed paspalum varieties, SeaIsle 1 is similar in texture and wear tolerance to the hybrid Bermuda grass. SeaIsle 1 also has a number of other advantages; it can handle multiple stresses, prolonged drought, high salt levels, low light intensity, water logged ground and extremely high or low soil pH levels.

Jeff Julich, Superintendent at Emirates Golf Club stated; "After extensive research into the re-grassing of the Wadi Course's tees, fairways and roughs, SeaIsle 1 seemed to be the most logical choice due to the environmental conditions of the region, which includes high sodium levels in the soil and water and the declining availability of good quality water that is necessary to grow the industry standard Bermuda grass. SeaIsle 1 can handle soil and water conditions that the hybrid Bermuda grass struggle to survive in.

There are several advantages of using the using new paspalum grass varieties. Firstly, it is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye than other grass varieties, it's greener, lusher and "stripes up" better than Bermuda grass. Secondly, not only does SeaIsle 1 grow better with poorer water conditions such as saline and treated sewage water, it is also deeper rooted which therefore uses less water and makes it a lot more resilient in extreme conditions such as sand storms, wet boggy areas and dust."

"Finally, SeaIsle paspalum grass reduces maintenance costs, as it requires half the amount of fertilizer of other grass varieties. Additionally, the saline water upon which the turf uniquely thrives, acts as a natural pesticide. Such savings in chemical usage minimizes environmental damage as well as maximizing cost savings" explained Julich.

Mr. Julich continued to say, "Our aim is to make the Wadi course unique, different and special. SeaIsle 1 along with the Faldo design will be the main factors in making the Wadi course one of the top courses in the Middle East."

Hydroturf International has supplied this variety of grass to several golf courses and landscaping projects in the region including; Al Badia Golf Club, Festival City, Nad Al Sheba Club, Tower Links Golf Club in Ras Al Khamiah, and Sahara Golf Course in Kuwait. Hydroturf also operates the UAE's first commercial turf farm in Ras Al Khaimah, covering an area of 250,000 m2 which is equivalent to 40 football fields with an approximately 1 million bushel / year capacity.