Brier Creek Country Club to Convert Putting Greens to New, Improved Surface

Jan. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- (Raleigh, N.C.) January 29, 2012 – Toll Brothers,  (TollBrothers.com) the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes and developer of fine communities around the Triangle, has announced a major improvement to the putting greens at Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh.  Beginning in June, greens at the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature golf course will be converted from bent grass to a hybrid Bermuda, making it the one of the only golf course in Raleigh offering the improved surface.  Bermuda is considered superior to bent grass because of its durability during the hot summer months and the reduced impact on the environment required for maintenance.

“This conversion is going to provide greater playing consistency throughout the year, especially during the summer months,” said David Richey, President of the Golf and Country Club Division at Toll Brothers.  “This advanced Bermuda grass will offer our members improved ball roll due to fewer ball marks and improved green speed.  They are really going to appreciate the difference.”

“Spring is going to be a lot of fun for golfers with this grass,” said George Frye of Transgolf, Inc.  “This Champion Bermuda is going to green up sooner in the year and will experience less summer stress, so golfers are going to see a smoother putting surface.”

The conversion will reduce the impact on the environment as well.  Due to its genetic makeup, water requirements will decrease and the use of chemicals will be reduced significantly.  Greens fans will be removed since they will no longer be needed and the annual green aerification will go from three times a year to once, resulting in more quality putting days per year.  Bent grass greens require much more labor and effort to maintain the health of the turf.

“The new Bermudas are excellent for courses in the Carolinas,” said Jim Hyler, president of the United States Golf Association.  “I think more clubs in this region should take a look at them.”

Ken Mangum, CGCS, the director of Golf Courses & Grounds at Atlanta Athletic Club, agrees.

“Through our research with other clubs and test greens at our facility, we found that Champion Ultra Dwarf produced the best putting surface for our members and for the 2011 PGA Championship,” says Mangum. “It also provides the best playing surface when 75% of our rounds are played from April through October.  

“Not only do we have a great surface when we have most of our play, but our members also enjoy the peace and quiet with no fans running or staff syringing greens,” continues Mangum.  “Better playing surface, less cost and better atmosphere, what is not to like about that?”

“Our focus has always been to provide the finest golfing experience for our members and their guests while at the same time being good stewards of natural resources in a responsible and proactive manner,” said Don Smith, General Manager of Brier Creek Country Club.  “Lately, the quality and consistency of our putting greens have not met our expectations or those of our members.  This will change that.”

“Once completed, the new greens will offer members and guests one of the best golfing experiences a private club in the Triangle can offer,” added Smith.

The conversion will begin in late June and will require six to eight weeks to complete from start to finish.  During that brief period, Brier Creek Country Club will have temporary greens in play as well as offer reciprocal agreements with a number of other area clubs.  Brier Creek will also offer numerous other programs at the club to keep the members engaged.

About Brier Creek Country Club

Situated in the heart of the Triangle, Brier Creek Country Club is located at 9400 Club Hill Drive in Raleigh, adjacent to the Research Triangle Park and just minutes from downtown Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. The single-builder master planned neighborhood and golf community offers distinctive home collections with a broad range of styles, many providing a low-maintenance lifestyle. It also offers a wealth of amenities, including the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course and magnificent 40,000-square-foot Clubhouse Complex including tennis, swimming, fine and casual dining, a fitness center, business amenities and much more. For more information about Brier Creek Country Club, please visit BrierCreekCC.com or call (919) 206-4600.


About Toll Golf and Country Club Division

Toll Golf is the golf development and operations division of Toll Brothers, Inc., the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes. Established in 1998, the Toll Golf & Country Club Division was formed to assist with the concept, development, construction, and day-to-day operations of the golf and country club amenities.
Just like the Toll Brothers award-winning homes and residential communities, Toll Golf & Country Clubs are designed and operated to the highest standards of quality. Toll Golf & Country Clubs offer their residents and members a vast array of unequaled services, events and world-class amenities that foster lasting relationships and enhance a luxurious lifestyle. For more information about the Toll Golf & Country Club Division and their luxury country clubs, visit TollGolf.com.