Change is Good: Fripp Island's Ocean Creek Golf Course Announces Conversion to Paspalum

Fripp Island, SC, August 08, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Beginning August 8, 2012 the greens and fairways at Ocean Creek Golf Course at Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort will undergo a conversion to Platinum TE Paspalum turf which is a fine-bladed cultivar of seashore paspalum. What does this mean to the average golfer? It will mean firm, healthy greens that hold up much better to our low country wind and water conditions.

Already making use of paspalum with great success is Fripp Island’s other course, Ocean Point Golf Links, which received rave reviews during the recent Beaufort City Championship. Also using paspalum, is the Ocean Course at Kiawah, which prompted Tiger Woods to comment regarding the upcoming PGA Championships, “Having paspalum greens is different. I've only played on paspalum greens one time. But they drain great. They're going to be firm.”

Paspalum offers good shade tolerance and recovery from injury, but it’s most outstanding feature is its exceptional salt tolerance, which is extremely beneficial with the course location. Another benefit of paspalum is that it requires less fertilizer, which, when paired with its saline affinity, makes it a more eco-friendly turf.

Ocean Creek’s superintendent, Jerry Ross, said that while the course will have to be closed during the conversion, he expects it to be back open and ready for play in approximately 60 days. Char Cormier, Director of Golf, is excited about the change, saying, “Our goal, as always, is to give the best possible golf experience to our members and guests and believe that this new turf will create superb playing conditions at Ocean Creek as it has at Ocean Point.”