Project Complete, Fazio Course Reopens

August 5, 2011

barefoot fazio.jpgThe installation of new greens at Barefoot Resort’s Fazio Course was as smooth as it was successful. The Fazio Course closed in late-May for the installation of Champion Bermuda grass greens and reopened, ahead of schedule, on July 13.

“The new greens are 100 percent grown-in and rolling terrific,” Mike Ross, Barefoot’s director of golf, said. “They aren’t to firm or too soft. We feel it’s almost a new golf course.”
 

Ross’ words are music to the ears of Grand Strand golfers, who have made the Fazio Course one of the area’s most popular since its opening in 2000. Golf Digest has ranked Fazio among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses and it’s, by nearly unanimous acclaim, one of Myrtle Beach’s best.

After careful consideration, Barefoot opted to install the Champion Bermuda – an ultradwarf grass – in place of the original bentgrass greens.

“We felt like the Champions Bermuda had many of the qualities of the bentgrass without the vulnerability to heat in the summer,” Ross said. “The new greens will allow us to maintain a fantastic putting surface through the heat of the summer while keeping the smoothness and playability of the bentgrass.”

Just as the Fazio Course reopened, the Norman Course at Barefoot closed for the installation of Champion Bermuda greens on July 11. It will reopen on September 1.

In addition to the work at Barefoot, several other Myrtle Beach layouts are installing new greens this summer as well. The Avocet Course at Wild Wing reopened August 3 after installing Mini-Verde Bermuda greens, while Quail Creek, River Club, the West Course at Myrtle Beach National and Lion’s Paw are preparing to reopen this month.

Quail Creek, slated to reopen on August 22, and the West Course, set for an August 24 reopening, are installing Mini-Verdi. When River Club opens on August 19 it will have new Champion Bermuda.