Cynthia Dye at the Pure Seed Field Day, discussing her success with Pure Dynasty Seeded Paspalum.
Canby, Oregon, United States: Award-winning golf course architect
Cynthia Dye attended the recent Pure Seed field day to share her experience using seeded paspalum.
Presenting to attendees from 12 countries, the Dye Designs Group designer described her selection of Pure Dynasty Seeded Paspalum and its success at Exclusiv Golf Deva in New Caledonia.
As a French Pacific island nation, New Caledonia imposes strict regulations on imports. This environmentally sensitive area with clay soil, tropical climates and complex water issues presented turfgrass challenges. Although a decades-old variety of Bermuda grass could be locally sourced and was used on other courses on the island, Dye wanted to avoid its mutation issues and select a turfgrass more sustainable for the region.
Keeping in mind the project’s goals as well as sustainability, water source, climate issues and more, Dye narrowed her choice for the greens turfgrass to paspalum. Navigating complex importing regulations led her specifically to Pure Dynasty from Pure Seed, marketed internationally by Atlas Turf, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
As the newest and most advanced seeded paspalum, Pure Dynasty solved the problem of importing restrictions on vegetative product.
“The seeded Pure Dynasty greens were cost-effective, smooth, and true with good speed,” said Dye.
Grow-in of the greens progressed smoothly with no issues of washouts or wind erosion that some seeded projects encounter. Pure Dynasty features a patented water absorbent coating called PureCoat+ that enhances establishment and survivability. However, due to political and economic issues at the time, the greens experienced a period on maintenance neglect after the initial grow-in.
“The greens sat for almost a year being minimally maintained,” said Dye.
Had she selected another variety of turfgrass, it may not have survived the neglect, but when the outside issues were resolved and the contractor took over the maintenance, the Pure Dynasty greens rebounded.
“When Exclusiv Golf Deva finally opened, the greens were well received,” said Dye. “By far, the best on the island. The owners were ecstatic with the golf course conditions.”
Dr
Ron Duncan, a noted paspalum expert and developer of one of the parent strains in Pure Dynasty, consulted with the maintenance team at Exclusiv to develop agronomic practices to meet the unique challenges of the New Caledonia environment and ensure that the greens met the high expectations of the resort clientele as well as the demands of hosting tournaments such as the South Pacific Open Championship and the Amateur Golf World Cup.
Dye’s careful selection of Pure Dynasty as the greens turfgrass paid off and delivered benefits that have contributed to the project’s success.
“In the flat light of the tropics, the colour difference of Pure Dynasty helps the greens stand out and provide a better target,” said Dye. “As part of a resort, I wanted [the greens] to be both challenging and playable for all levels of golfers. Pure Dynasty greens have good speed, but also allow the ball to stick slightly. This helps players when the prevailing ocean breezes kick up in the afternoon. I got my wish to have paspalum greens in New Caledonia.”