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Vaquero Golf Course
History of Soil Guard On Designed By: Thomas Fazio This project was started by L&E Services (Lance & Martin) and Justin Seed company (Tracy Tally) in April of 2001. Located in Westlake Texas, which is in the Dallas Metroplex. Problem: 1. Sand traps were unstable and being blown onto sod area and not holding shape. 2. Customer wanted Coastal Bermuda sprigged to step sculptured bunker faces. Solution: 1. Use Soil Guard to hold sand stable. Limit its use to sculptured native grass areas. 2. Place sprigs on top of soil and Soil Guard on top of sprigs to hold them in place and to retain moisture. Results: 1. Sand traps worked as expected, as shown in the photos taken over an 80 day period. Please note that native grass seed is very hard to get established. On trips to the site, we noticed that watering was performed on an irregular basis or was not available. Efficient water usage and retention can be seen on the “Sprig Guard” areas. 2. Sprigs with Soil Guard (Sprig Guard); We found that placing sprigs and Soil Guard on bunkers was not difficult. Even on vertical areas, the product would hold if numerous small applications of both products were made. After about nine days, we found that the sprigs had died because they had not been watered. On the tenth day, a six-inch rain came and washed out many areas on the course . Hole number four, in particular, which had been completely i.e. Tee Box, Fairway and Bunkers), suffered washouts in portions of the fairway and damage to the bunker faces. These wash outs were attributed to water seepage through the seam areas causing soil failure, despite being properly stapled in place. However, in an adjacent area and bunker face to which the Sprig Guard had been applied no failure was observed. Based on this result, the customer chose to expand the acreage of use on not only this course but two additional courses. Continued Usage: Once Hole Four’s sodded area failed, it was sprigged and then capped with Soil Guard. This was performed on May 24, 2001. This appeared to work, however it later failed again because the sprigs were of poor quality and the area irregularly watered. Hole four was Sprig Guarded again this time using sprigs that were fresh (dug within 24 hours) and watered. The customer praised these results. Within ten days sprigs were growing, and within 28 days they were established and filling in. Watering is crucial. Sprigs need to stay moist. Conditions in the dry Texas heat of 98-102 degrees Fahrenheit made it difficult to keep the areas moist. It is speculated that most irrigation systems are designed to maintain turf rather than establish turf, which can easily take up to twice the amount of water normally needed. Under more favorable moisture conditions the results undoubtedly would be much better. The Soil Guard did, in fact, hold up to the waterings and held the soil and sprigs in place. Sprig Guard allows the designers to be more flexible in shaping areas. Sprig Guard eliminates the heavy sprigging equipment from operating on sensitive areas. It is less expensive than sodding the areas, and it is easier to apply.
Justin Seed Company |
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