Ford’s Colony recently remade its Marsh Hawk golf greens with Bermuda grass, and the Virginia State Golf Association has noticed.
In the current edition of Virginia Golfer, the VSGA’s digital and print magazine, Marsh Hawk’s rebirth — as well as the multi-million dollar renovation of the clubhouse, restaurants and patio — was featured in a story by magazine editor Chris Lang.
The story noted that Ford’s Colony club membership is up at a time when many clubs are struggling with that issue.
The bentgrass greens on the 32-year-old Marsh Hawk course were replaced this summer with Champion Bermuda, which thrives in the summer heat and requires little maintenance. “We feel like we’re saving 25 percent on water, fertilizer and fungicides since moving to the Bermuda grass,” John Marshall, Ford’s Colony’s director of agronomy, told the magazine.
Marsh Hawk reopened for play in mid-September. Blue Heron, another of Ford’s Colony’s three 18-hole courses, also has Bermuda greens.
The story notes that some trees were removed on Marsh Hawk as well to facilitate grass growth on fairways and to open up some greens for easier access for approach shots. The latter will boost pace of play times, according to director of golf Mike Krick.
