(Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. – June 18, 2013) Turf Evolutions, an industry leader in alternative turf solutions for golf, athletic fields and landscaping needs, has completing the installation of its surface at TPC Sawgrass as part of a continuing relationship with the home course of THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA TOUR.
TPC Sawgrass is renovating its practice facility and the adjacent PGA TOUR Academy through June 17, with an artificial surface replacement at the back of the reworked tee box and at a hitting area for the Academy, totaling approximately 6,500 square feet.
The PGA TOUR Academy regularly uses beginner instruction on the artificial surface to allow starting players some forgiveness.
“There were a few reasons we chose Turf Evolutions,” said Michael Johnson, the Vice President of Design and Construction for the PGA TOUR, whose team oversees the TPC Sawgrass work. “We had some history with them, they were very reliable from a service point of view and their pricing was very good.
“Some of the PGA TOUR professionals hit off Turf Evolutions’ surface this year and former TOUR player Bob Dickson gave us a good review from a professionals’ point of view. Our amateur resort guests will find it more forgiving and offers a little more cushion. When they have to hit off the surface, it’s not a detriment.”
Later this summer, when THE PLAYERS Stadium Course is closed for maintenance, Turf Evolutions will also replace the artificial surface that leads to and covers the walkway leading onto the famous island green par-3 17th hole.
Turf Evolutions originally installed these surfaces when TPC Sawgrass was renovated in 2007 and won a bid to upgrade these areas this year.
“We are excited to return to TPC Sawgrass and continue our relationship with the PGA TOUR,” said Greg Weitz, the President of Turf Evolutions. “The PGA TOUR’s confidence in our product is further evidence that when it comes to artificial surfaces, Turf Evolutions is a safe, durable and environmentally sound alternative to natural grasses.”
According to Johnson, the increased demand for artificial surfaces has become “fairly common in the private and resort” areas of golf courses in recent years. The surface offer golfers an option to warm up when natural turf replacement is in progress or when weather or seasonal disparities prevent use of the natural grass. Since 2007, Johnson said, TPC facilities such as TPC Potomac at Avenel Farms in Potomac, Md., and TPC Las Vegas have installed these Turf Evolutions alternatives. Johnson said they have also proposed installing an artificial surface on a portion of the practice teeing ground at the new 2016 Summer Olympic Games course being designed by Hanse Golf Course Design in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
About Turf Evolutions
Turf Evolutions (www.turfevolutions.com ) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is an industry leader in alternative turf solutions with relationships that include The Home Depot, TPC Sawgrass, the PGA TOUR Academy and Atlanta’s legendary East Lake Golf Club. Turf Evolutions was founded in 2000 by industry executives with a diverse expertise in related fields – fiber technology, turf manufacturing, civil engineering, earthworks construction and turf installation. With more than 20 years of experience, Turf Evolutions has built a company that offers a complete range of low maintenance, high performance and environmentally safe alternative turf solutions, ranging from golf course surfaces to athletic fields and general landscaping needs. Greg Weitz (greg@turfevolutions.com), who was been with Turf Evolutions since its formation in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is the President and Account Manager of the Home Depot national account.
