Golfdom, January 2012

PROTEIN HELPS TURF DEAL WITH IT Turf leads a pretty stressed life It has to withstand daily attacks by machines UV rays wildlife and extreme weather conditions And if all that wasnt enough theres always the constant threat of pathogens New Daconil Action fungicide combines the power of Daconil fungicide with a revolutionary Turf Protein Booster that helps turf activate its own natural production of PR proteins The result is turf that is stronger healthier and better able to defend itself against fungus and environmental stress like drought Learn more at DaconilAction com Its why many World Woods golfers tee up on the 9 hole short course which costs 17 a round Rawlings said A lot of the older couples on fixed incomes or who have been hurt financially are migrating to the cheaper golf he said Orange County National At Orlandos Orange County National Golf Course and Lodge home to two reputable 18 hole public courses Director of Golf Alan Walker has on his hands one of the most extensive practice areas in the country Its an area that includes a 9 hole executive course a learning facility two putting greens a chipping area and the largest driving range in the U S The 42 acre circular driving range is one mile in circumference It is surrounded by four target greens with bunkers for a real golf course experience Walker said And the ranges eight sets of tee boxes which like the bowl of the range feature bermudagrass rotate from front to back We have a lot of demand for the practice area around here Walker said The area also includes The Studio a hitting area featuring artificial turf covered hitting bays offices and video classrooms That variety is exactly what practice ranges need in order to compete Zontek said There have to be several components to it he said A big practice range tee that would allow people to practice on grass They usually have some artificial turf too they need both And theyve got to have all weather surfaces They have to be 300 plus yards long They need to have target greens Then youve got to have the building for your teaching You have to have a bunker usually there are several Youve also got to have a short game area So creating a worthy practice area is not easy But it is the future During the last few years golf has declined Walker said Thats one reason why at Orange County National use of the practice facility has increased compared to full course use he said Walker attributes the jump in practice to golfers increasingly busy lifestyles People can come out and still get enjoyment from the game if they cant afford the four or four and a half hours of golf Walker said We get people who its their entire agenda to come to the practice Continued on page 24 w w w g o l f d o m c o m Golfdom 23