The Ridge Golf Course
The Sutherland Shire Council set out to enhance one of Sydney’s most popular golf courses. Through an open tender, the council sought a fresh approach. The vision was clear, improve the course playing conditions while delivering an enjoyable experience for members and guests at one of the busiest courses in Sydney.
The project presented unique challenges from the outset.
The overall condition of the course had deteriorated, impacting play quality.
High levels of wintergrass (Poa annua) had made the greens bumpy and uneven.
Both Poa annua and Kikuyu had spread across the course, creating maintenance challenges.
Contaminated sand and inadequate drainage had rendered bunkers unplayable during wet weather.
We implemented new innovative scientifically-driven approaches to tackle this project. These solutions consisted of poa weed using plant growth regulators (PGRs) on a Growing Degree Day (GDD) program. By aligning PGR applications with on-site weather data, it ensured precise timing for maximum efficiency. This method was not only highly targeted but also allowed us to use lighter PGR doses, minimising their impact on the environment
To further enhance their approach, we partnered with John Deere to integrate advanced GPS-guided sprayers into our operations. Equipped with self-guided GPS technology, these sprayers eliminated common application issues, such as overlaps and missed areas, providing improved precision. With individual section control, only designated areas received treatment, optimising results and significantly reducing resource waste
In a conscious effort to reduce chemical use, we introduced drone technology to scan playing surfaces from above. By mapping weed populations, the drones allowed our team to accurately determine where treatment was needed. This replaced broad-acre spraying, cutting down on chemical use and allowing for highly targeted applications.
Green By Nature successfully eradicated Poa from the greens, resulting in firm, fast, and consistent playing surfaces. The improved conditions led to a significant rise in golf rounds, increasing from 60,000 to over 85,000 annually, with exceptional feedback on surface quality. Membership demand has also surged, to the extent that the client has now implemented a waiting list for new members.
