Environmentally friendly is the operative term at the brand new and completely redesigned 18-hole golf course at Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club. A municipal golf course facility in Plantation, Fla., Plantation Preserve opened recently after a nearly 4-year design and construction process.
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Owned by the City of Plantation, Plantation Preserve is a par-72, 7,148-yard, 18-hole, Audubon-certified championship golf course that utilizes low-water/low-fertilizer SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum turfgrass and is surrounded by 29 acres of wetland preserve.
Perhaps the most unique element of Plantation Preserve is the 1.5-mile walking trail that is completely separate from the golf courses’ cart path and is carved right through the center of the 211-acre facility. The walking trail is classified by the City of Plantation as “a linear park.” With two trailheads, the linear park winds its way through the golf course and wetland preserve. Additionally, interpretive signs are located at the beginning and end of the trail, at each of four trail stops and at the historically significant Tequesta burial mound—an ancient Indian archeological site on the property.
“The United States Golf Association confirmed that we are the only golf course in the country to have anything like this,” says Colleen Cashman-McSween, sponsorship and membership director for Plantation Preserve.
Designed by golf course architects Robert von Hagge, Michael J. Smelek and Richard A. Baril, Plantation Preserve is the first municipal golf course in Broward County, Fla., to utilize SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum turfgrass from tee-to-green.
The grasses’ environmentally friendly characteristics fit right in with the ecological theme of the project. SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum grass requires up to 50 percent less water for irrigation and up to 75% less nitrogen for fertilization. Salt may be used as an herbicide. And, with only one grass to maintain on the golf course, maintenance challenges on the golf course are greatly reduced.
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For golfers of all skill levels, SeaDwarf creates a highly playable golf surface. Because of SeaDwarf’s upright nature, the golf ball seemingly sits up in the fairway almost as if on a tee, making for player-friendly golf shots.
Plus, SeaDwarf was designed to be a visually attractive golf course. “It’s just so green,” McSween says.
SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum grass was chosen for the course, Plantation Preserve’s McSween said, not just for its environmentally friendly aspects but also because “this is the grass that is most wanted everywhere.”
Plantation Preserve is located at 7050 W. Broward Boulevard, in Plantation, Fla. Though open to the public, memberships are available. Call 954-585-5020 or visit www.plantation.org/community/PlantationPrese/index.html for membership information.
For more information on SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum turfgrass from Environmental Turf, contact: 772-460-5575 or www.environmentalturf.com.
