Golf Course Superintendent information
GCSAA Golf Course Superintendent: Ron Benedict
Education: A.S., Turfgrass Management, College of the Desert, Palm Desert, Calif., 1990
Years as a GCSAA member: 18
Years at this course: 18
Previous tournament preparation: 13 Senior PGA Tour Toshiba Classics, 7 Newport Classics, 6 (as volunteer) PGA Tour Buick Invitationals (Torrey Pines Golf Course), 2 California Opens
Previous events hosted by facility: 1996-2007, Toshiba Senior Classic
Availability to media: Contact Ron Benedict by phone 949-644-8845; fax 949-721-0657; email rbenedict@newportbeachcc.com
Course statistics
| |
Yardage |
Par |
Rating |
Slope |
|
Red
|
5702
|
71
|
74.4
|
134
|
|
White
|
6239
|
71
|
70.1
|
122
|
|
Combo
|
6365
|
71
|
70.8
|
124
|
|
Blue
|
6584
|
71
|
71.7
|
126
|
Course characteristics
| |
Primary Grasses |
Height of Cut |
| Tees |
Bermudagrass |
0.44" |
| Fairways |
Kikuyugrass; bermudagrass |
0.44" |
| Greens |
Poa annua |
.135" |
| Rough |
Kikuyugrass |
2.5" |
Average tee size: 1,000 sq. ft.
Average green size: 4,500 sq. ft.
Rounds per year: 65,000
Acres of fairway: 30
Acres of rough: 60
Sand bunkers: 56
Water hazards: 3
Tournament stimpmeter: 10.5-11 ft.
Soil conditions:
Green construction soil mix: Push-up
Source of water: City water, effluent water
Drainage: Fair
Interesting and historical course-related facts
Not surprisingly for a course that is over 50 years old, the Newport Beach Country Club's distinguishing characteristic is its maturity. The narrow kikuyugrass fairways are lined by bold stand of aged pine and eucalyptus trees, preventing the course from being overwhelmed by long hitters. Prosperity is contingent upon accuracy off the tee, and a patient study of the challenging poa annua greens that, according to local knowledge, break toward the Pacific. Originally designed by William Bell in 1953, the Newport Beach Country Club underwent enhancements by Harry Rainville in 1973 and Ted Robinson in 1985 and 2000.
Wildlife on the course
Blue heron; Coyote; Fox; Hawk; Osprey; Rabbit; Raccoon; Several different species of birds; Woodpecker
Course architect/date: William Bell and Sons, 1953
Most recent redesign/renovation: Ted Robinson, 2000
Other key course personnel
Paul Hahn, PGA Professional
Beverly Ray, Club Owner
Mike Novak, Assistant Superintendent
Ildefonso Torres, Equipment Manager
Perry Dickey, Club President
Silvano Salinas, Horticulturist
Golf course management facts
Average tour green size (sq. ft.):
The average green size on the professional tours is approximately 6,000 square feet, ranging
from 3,500 sq.ft at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif. to 9,000 sq.ft. at The
Rail Golf Club, Springfield, Ill.
Land use percentage by 18-hole golf facility:
An average of 150-200 acres of total land; teeing areas 2%, putting greens 2%, fairways 23%,
rough/woods/water 70%, buildings and grounds 3%
Stimpmeter:
A Stimpmeter is a ramp that allows for consistent and fair measurement of green speed on
a particular course. The distance the ball rolls, in feet, is the speed or "stimp"
reading for the green. The instrument was invented by Mr. Edward S. Stimpson in 1936 and
later implemented for use by the USGA in 1978.
Warm season vs. cool season grasses:
Warm season grasses:
Among the best known are bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, bahiagrass,
carpetgrass and centipedegrass. Warm-season grasses grow at their optimal rate between
75 F and 95 F.
Cool season grasses:
Among the best known are colonial bentgrass, creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass,
perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and tall fescue. They grow best between 55 F and 85 F.
Course rating vs. slope:
The USGA Course Rating indicates the course's playing difficulty for scratch golfers. It
is expressed as strokes taken to one decimal place and is based on yardage and other
obstacles. The USGA Slope Rating reflects the difficulty of the course for the players
who are not scratch golfers. The greater the difference between these numbers, the higher
the USGA Slope Rating and the more strokes the golfer will receive.
Grain of grass:
Grain, particularly on putting surfaces, is a golfer's term referring to the tendency
of grass to grow in one or more directions relative to ball roll. Exposure to the sun
as it tracks across the sky is one factor that affects grain, but the predominant force
is water and the direction it flows relative to slope. Much has been written about grain
and how it impacts putting accuracy. Golf course superintendents alter mowing direction
and utilize other maintenance techniques to minimize grain. At professional competitions
on closely mown putting surfaces, grain is usually very subtle, but remains a part of the
putting challenge. Reading grain properly is an art form that adds to the mystique of what
it takes to be a true champion.
USGA green vs. push-up green:
Early golf courses were built from a mixture of soil, organic matter and sand from the
construction site. Often soil was pushed up and the greens were slightly rounded to
promote the runoff of water. While many courses still feature greens like this, others
have greens built to "USGA specifications." This method uses sand as the
principal component of the root zone mix to provide adequate drainage, resistance to
compaction and a perched water table with a reservoir of moisture for the turf. A cross
section would show stratified layers of soil, sand, gravel and organic matter over a
network of pipes to facilitate drainage.
For additional information please visit the GCSAA
association news
section or contact the Communications Department at 800-472-7878.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the
top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide.
From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to
more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their
profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at
www.gcsaa.org.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of GCSAA and is a collaborative effort
of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural
environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education and
outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For
more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.