Golf
irrigation in full swing - the course will not be overly green or overly brown
Zoysia Zeon is different physiologically to paspalum. I’ve worked with paspalum for the past fourteen years. I’ve done other Zoysia Diamond projects and Emerald projects, but this is a new variety for me
asking “why?” I had to explain to them that we aren’t mowing at 7.00am, people are playing at 7.00am. It’s a massive culture shock
for them, but I’m very humbled by the group I have. Some of my crew travel four hours on a bus to come to work and take the same trip home that evening. And my key staff, Fabian Espinola (deputy superintendent) - Sofia Urrets (senior irrigation tech) and Suelen Santos (administrative assistant) - are vital to the success of the project.
Will there be any upcoming events to prepare the crew for tournament play?
We will have a test event before the Olympics. It will test the golf course - and probably my sanity - at that point. You really start to stress because I’ve got a bunch of guys and all they’ve done is weed pick or pick grass or shave things with bunker rakes. Now I’ve got to introduce them to the entirely new concept of tournament preparation!
”
Where on the course do you think the professionals will struggle the most?
We have our “Amen Corner” that plays around holes 2, 3, 4 and 5. It circumnavigates the lake that feeds the irrigation. On the second hole, you have
a long tee shot to a skinny landing area. On three, you drive across the water, and it’s a teaser hole - that’s a short par 4. So they can drive it but, if they hook it left, they’re in the water and, if they slice or fade it right, they are in the jungle. I think the pros are going to
love it, I really do. You’re never going to please everybody in this business, but these guys are going to love it.
What is the culture of golf in Brazil and how do the locals view the sport?
Brazil has a quiet pedigree of wealthy businessmen who play golf. They don’t have a pedigree of anything like public golf. Some people don’t even think it is a sport in Brazil. That’s the mentality we have to change. I
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