Walt Disney World® Golf Blog

In last week's first part of this two part series, we described the process of overseeding and the real challenges that it presents. This week, we discuss our decision to not overseed.

1s seeding

Hole #15 on Disney's Lake Buena Vista,

left and back collar area of green in June of 2013

Same area on Hole #15 in April of 2015

Our decision…

Several years ago, Walt Disney World® Golf, operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, made the decision to stop the annual practice of overseeding. This decision is becoming more common at golf courses around the country, as there is increasing emphasis in the golf industry on using resource conservation techniques and related approaches to be more environmentally friendly. Our decision was reached based upon multiple factors:

• Substantially reducing water and power consumption as an integral part of our environmentally sensitive conservation practices, by reducing irrigation requirements for the establishment of newly seeded ryegrasses.
• Eliminating the need for the extra fertilizer required for the ryegrasses and enhancing our ability to control weeds on the course, helping us to reduce the use of various chemical treatments.
• Reducing fuel consumption due to not having to extensively mow and use other maintenance equipment and other vehicles otherwise required during the overseeding time period.
• Allowing the bermudagrass to become stronger during warmer weather, by the fact that it’s not competing with the fast growing ryegrass each year.
• Enabling uninterrupted play in the fall and spring, with a more gradual transition in course conditions as the weather changes.
• Providing for a variety of natural course challenges to our players during winter months, allowing for seasonal differences in play, during the year.

We are proud to be taking a leading position in the golf industry by being proactive in adopting course management and conservation practices that reflect our sensitivity to the environment. We do believe that you will find our golf courses to be in better condition for more weeks each year as a result of the decision to not overseed, and that you will enjoy the natural, cooler season playing conditions of our courses at the "Happiest Place on TURF!"

More evidence below of the improvement from 2013 to 2015 course conditions due to this agronomic practice adjustment…

 

s2 s3

Hole #17 on Disney's Lake Buena Vista, rough area,

just left of approach during transition in June of 2013

Same area on Hole #17 in April of 2015
s4 s5

Hole #16 on Disney's Lake Buena Vista,

area on left collar of green in June of 2013.

Same area on Hole #16 in April of 2015
s6 s7

Hole #18 on Disney's Lake Buena Vista,

front right of greenside bunkers in June of 2013

Same area on Hole #18 in April of 2015
s8 s9

Hole #18 on Disney's Lake Buena Vista, area right side rough,

between fairway and cart path in June of 2013

Same area on Hole #18 in April of 2015