Sagebrush Cited For Leading-Edge Agronomy Condition

News Release

In preparing the keynote address to 2010 Golf Industry Show, USGA agronomist Brian Whitlark consulted Ron Whitten, Golf Digest Architecture Editor, "for examples of courses employing leading-edge agronomy." Whitten named five golf facilities, including Sagebrush.

"In fact, Sagebrush was at the top of my list," said Whitten. "This is where the game is evolving, and Sagebrush is one of the courses proving what is good for the game."
(The Sagebrush 17th & 18th Greens)

The USGA's Whitlark has been researching the new approach to golf course design and maintenance to create firm & fast playing conditions and reached out to Whitten. Whitten's reply was, "At the urging of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Golf Digest has rewritten its Conditioning criterion used in determining the top courses in its biennial ranking of the America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses and Best in each state. The old definition dealt with playing quality of tees, fairways and greens. The new definition reads, "How firm, fast and rolling were the fairways and how firm yet receptive were the greens on the date you played the course."

"Golf Digest is urging a movement away from industry standards of heavy watering practices," said Whitten. "Less water usage has many benefits, not the least of which is that it improves playability in the game."

The inclusion of Sagebrush, SCOREGolf Magazine's Best New Course in Canada for 2009, further elevates the unique club on the shores of Nicola Lake and its Superintendent Norley Calder, co-designers Richard Zokol, Rod Whitman and Armen Suny into a very prestigious and select group of courses and designers. The four other courses identified are Bandon Dunes, in Bandon, OR; Calusa Pines, in Naples, FL.; Ballyhack, in Roanoke, VA; and The Club at Clear Creek, in Lake Tahoe, NV.

"Whether you like it or not, given where the costs of the game are going and taking into consideration the decreasing availability of water, as well as the environment, everybody will be forced to cut back on water," added Whitten.

Sagebrush, the only course outside the US on the list, is the first minimalist design links-style course of its kind in Canada. The minimalist approach to golf course construction and maintenance has proved to be both innovative and 'green' in an era of heightened environmental awareness.

"The philosophies we practice are not only good for golf and the environment, but as importantly, the business model is cost-effective," explained Sagebrush co-designer and Chairman Richard Zokol. "The minimalist approach to construction and the firm & fast approach to water use and maintenance are now keys to the success of every golf course."

Firm & fast maintenance practices and reduced water applications mirror operating costs of decades ago. And, the approach emulates the natural evolution of classic British Isles courses that date back centuries. With 'deep and infrequent' watering, a more durable grass develops that needs less fertilizer and pesticides.

"Norley Calder [Sagebrush's Superintendent] has done a wonderful job establishing an excellent root-base through the first year of operations at Sagebrush," said agronomist and Sagebrush co-designer Armen Suny. "The philosophy is to try to mimic natural rain events with irrigation. Grass didn't develop over all these hundreds of thousands of years by getting the computer-generated perfect amount of water every night. The grasses went through dry spells and through wet spells, a process that makes plants healthier, stronger, and better equipped to stand off disease and stress."

The benefits of minimalist golf course architecture and firm & fast agronomy practices are many and far-reaching for the environment and golf course operations. And, they are just as beneficial to golfers, introducing them to a variety of shots, club selections they may never have thought of, and a chance to play golf the way the game has been played for most of its 500-year history - firm and fast.

For More Information: www.sagebrushclub.com or contact

Sagebrush Chairman - Richard Zokol - (604) 787-0310;
zokol@sagebrushclub.com
Sagebrush President - Terry Donald - (604) 551-5000;
tdonald@sagebrushclub.com
Sagebrush Superintendent - Norley Calder (250) 378-9572;
ncalder@sagebrushclub.com
Sagebrush Co-designer - Armen Suny (303) 570-2741;
sunygolf@msn.com