Kalhaar Blues and Greens featuring MiniVerde™ Ultra Dwarf Bermudagrass and Tifway 419 Bermudagrass opens this month in Ahmedabad, India. As the first championship quality course in the region, Kalhaar offers a new experience for Indian golfers in a brilliant setting.
The championship Nicklaus Design course by architect John Cope stretches to a challenging 7,200 yards of links style golf with water hazards very much in play. Construction included the creation of some 30 acres of lakes.
With its many lakes representing the blue in Kalhaar Blues and Greens, the green is depicted in the extensive landscaping and the world class quality turfgrass. MiniVerde™ Ultra Dwarf Bermudagrass was chosen for the greens and tees and Tifway 419 Bermudagrass for the fairways and roughs.
“The greatest feature of this project is that the ownership [Navratna Organisers and Developers Pvt. Ltd.] was able to come together with Nicklaus Design to provide the best materials and support needed to build a truly first class golf course,” said Terry Bohannan, construction project manager.
“MiniVerde is a better grass than other ultra dwarfs,” said Bohannan. “It’s thicker, stands up tighter, and allows the ball to roll much truer. Also, the darker green color is a good contrast to the Tifway 419. Both varieties are able to stand up to the heat of India and have proven to be good grasses for us.”
Bohannan began the grassing process by establishing a turf nursery onsite. Agronomy consultant Dave McIntosh, owner of Turfgrass Consulting out of Stuart, Florida, visited regularly to offer assistance and training for the local staff on proper maintenance procedures. Jim Barker leads the crew as the golf course superintendent.
Keeping the course in top condition will mean overcoming an array of climatic challenges in India. Summer brings temperatures of 40 °C, followed by three months of extreme rain. Next comes winter when there is almost no rain at all and cooler ground temperatures.
“It’s extremely important to have the course in good condition before the rain and then again before the winter season,” said Bohannan. “The deep root system of MiniVerde allows the turfgrass to withstand the conditions and remain strong and healthy during all seasons.”
The soft opening of the first 14 holes of Kalhaar Blues and Greens occurs at the end of February with the remaining four holes scheduled to open mid-year.
