South Forbes: RP’s1st wall-to-wall course

Aside from being the first and only property of the International Management Group (IMG) in the Philippines, the world-class, 18-hole South Forbes Golf Club proudly announces two other firsts in the local golf industry.

"First, we are the first to use University of Georgia’s newest and most modern paspalum variety, Sea Isle Supreme. Second, we will be the first to use the same type of grass from the tee to the fairways, and even the roughs. This grass will be used wall to wall," announced Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng during the sidelights of the South Forbes Golf Club’s groundbreaking ceremony.

Renowned hybrid grass expert Ronny Duncan, Ph.D. developed the new and improved semi-dwarf seashore paspalum cultivar at the Phillip Jennings Turf Farms at the University of Georgia. At the time of the new paspalum’s release in March 2005, Dr. Duncan expressed excitement about its potential since it performs equally well as a primary rough grass as it does for a fine-textured putting surface.

All golf courses in the country use a certain type of grass for the green and a different one for the tee. Grass outside of the green may also be of a different type from the one used in the tee. "This usually results in a contamination problem, wherein the grass beyond the greens, if it is more aggressive, will creep into the green. When the two types of grass mix, this will have an impact on golfers’ level of play and the visual effect," noted golf course construction expert Greg Graham, president and managing director of Top-Max Golf International.

With the same type of grass to be used wall-to-wall at South Forbes, the obvious advantage is: "Players can expect a consistent level of play from the tee to the greens. There will be absolutely no contamination problem," Graham added. The only difference will be on the height of mowing of the grass in the greens, tees, and fairways, as the green is usually mowed lower.

Sea Isle supreme, according to Graham, is "the best in the market. It stripes very well when mowed; its visual impact is pretty strong for players. It grows really fast and sports a finer blade. Plus, the ball sits up better on this grass."

To learn more about the free golf membership given to all lot and condominium unit owners at South Forbes Golf City, call 635-8108 or 636-4647 or click http://www.southforbes.com.