The roll-out of more than 180,000sqm of instant turf has commenced at South Australia’s first Greg Norman-designed golf course at Port Hughes.
As the centrepiece of The Dunes Port Hughes, it’s one of the first golf courses in Australia to be laid entirely with instant grass, rather than grown from seed.
“During the turf roll-out we will be laying about 4,000sqm of instant grass a day, so to see lush green fairways materialise before our very eyes will be quite a sight,” said Andrew Martin, The Dunes Port Hughes Chief Executive Officer. “Laying instant turf is a significantly more expensive approach for us to take, however it will enable us to fast-track the grow-in process of the grass and help save water to establish the course compared to traditional seeding.”
Leading golf course construction company Turnpoint has been appointed to manage the turf roll-out, which will require approximately 135 B-double trucks to transport the drought-tolerant Santa Anna couch from Langhorne Creek to The Dunes between now and Christmas.
Troon Golf, the world’s premier golf course management company, will also oversee the process as part of its work to have the first nine holes ready for play by next Easter.
“After two years of planning and major earthworks, we’re on track to have the first nine holes laid by the end of the year, which will completely transform the entire development,” said Mr Martin. “This really is going to be one of South Australia’s finest golf courses, and with Greg Norman’s unique stamp on it, you wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Based on traditional Scottish links layouts, the PGA standard course will take advantage of the spectacular Port Hughes coastline and incorporate a mix of beach and formal bunkering, while variance in the contouring of greens will make each hole visually distinctive.
“The natural surroundings of the region have also been taken into account throughout every step of the design process to ensure we deliver a visually stunning yet environmentally friendly golf course,” said Mr Martin.
“Extended sand dunes and more than 60,000 water-wise plants have been incorporated into the design, while we’ve also created on-site lakes to capture storm water and a 60-megalitre storage dam to support the long-term self-sufficient irrigation of the course.”
Located 170km north of Adelaide overlooking the Spencer Gulf, The Dunes Port Hughes is SA’s premier residential and resort development. When complete the 15-year project will feature more than 2,000 residential homes and world-class leisure facilities.
For more information about The Dunes Port Hughes call 1300 788 867 or visit www.thedunesporthughes.com.au
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