ITGAP (International Turfgrass Genetic Assurance Programme) is a quality assurance programme that monitors production sites worldwide to ensure that turfgrasses are grown, inspected, and sold under a rigorous set of rules and guidelines. The turfgrass will be a valuable part of the supply chain required to meet the development goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as well as for projects across the wider Gulf region.

An environmentally sustainable, salt-tolerant turfgrass with superior appearance, playability and maintenance benefits, Platinum TE offers the turfgrass solution for a number of applications. It is adaptable to a wide range of mowing heights making the turfgrass ideal for tee-to-green installation on golf courses across the region. Platinum TE’s heat tolerance and striking green colour are appealing qualities for all landscaping needs. Further, the durability of Platinum TE makes it suitable for a range of demanding sports applications and has been chosen as the exclusive turfgrass of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022.

In addition to Platinum TE, Atlas Turf Arabia plans to expand its production to include Bermudagrass, Ultra Dwarf Bermudagrass and Zoysia, as it cements its credentials as the Middle East’s go-to turfgrass supplier for golf courses, sports pitches and landscaping projects.

John Holmes, President of Atlas Turf International and Co-founder of Atlas Turf Arabia, said: “We are delighted to receive ITGAP certification for our production of Platinum TE, as it demonstrates that our product is of the utmost quality. When clients purchase turfgrass from us, they can trust that it will be free of weeds or disease, allowing it to fulfil the needs of their golf course, athletic field, or landscaping projects. We look forward to working closely with clients in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf region to deliver the best turfgrass available.”

Atlas Turf Arabia was established as a joint venture between Atlas Turf International and Golf Saudi as part of a collective drive towards Vision 2030 and is already a vital link in the supply chain framework within Saudi Arabia.

Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of Golf Saudi and Co-founder of Atlas Turf Arabia, said: “We have been delighted by the steps Atlas Turf Arabia has taken since its launch last year and ITGAP certification is yet another endorsement of the reputation it is establishing within the region. To have a facility of this calibre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia demonstrates our collective ambition to offer turfgrasses tailored to better suit our climate and to better serve the sustainability goals we have set as part of Vision 2030.”

More
Sensational finish at Dubai Golf Trophy
Sergio Garcia ‘can’t wait to quit PGA Tour’
LIV Golf: Bland’s British Masters title defence takes a twist
Westwood and ‘many more’ request release to play LIV Golf Invitational Series
Look: Phil Mickelson spotted on golf course
Tiger Woods plays Southern Hills ahead of PGA Championship
LIV Golf Invitational Series continues to take shape
Trump to host LIV finale
Greg Norman rejected by R&A for Open Championship
Report: First PGA Tour player request to play LIV Golf events

The post Atlas Turf Arabia receives ITGAP approval for production of Platinum TE Paspalum  appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
The five-month rebuild of the most recognisable greens in Middle East golf is underway. In the meantime, may we humbly suggest you brush up on your lag putting.

All 18 greens on the Majlis layout at Emirates Golf Club, plus the practice green beneath the club’s famed Majlis clubhouse, are being dug up and rebuilt to full United States Golf Association (USGA) specification.

Originally built as ‘push up’ greens in the late 1980s, the surfaces are subject to the region’s high-stress climatic conditions so had come to the end of their natural 20-25 year lifespan.

That was evident at January’s OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic but Dubai Golf CEO Chris May is confident the rebuild will impress members and guests when the course reopens in late September and the pros when they are fully bedded for next year’s European Tour stop.

Like for Arabian Ranches Golf Club’s recent greens rebuild project, Emirates G.C. is having the chosen Tifeagle Bermuda grasses flown into the UAE in refrigerated containers from Atlas Turf in Georgia in the U.S.

The most noticeable change will be the significantly increased size of the surfaces, thus the aforementioned tip to work on your lag putting in the intervening five months.

“The greens will essentially remain the same as Karl Litten’s original design,” said May. “The most noticeable difference on re-opening in September will be the increase in size of the greens. The putting surfaces will be brought back to their original size with the average increase being close to 40 percent.”

Scratch beneath the surface and the big long-term benefits can be found.

“The fundamental change will be enhancing the drainage in the greens complexes by building to USGA specifications.

The 1st green on the Majlis is prepped for the rebuild.

“This will enable the golf course maintenance team to manage and present the greens to the world-class conditions that are expected on the Majlis course. The greens will be hand sprigged to ensure a consistent coverage with this work to be complete by the end of June after which the grow in will take place through to opening.”

Dubai Golf is also investing in drainage to the Majlis’ greenside bunkers to improve playability. Al Naboodah Contracting, the company responsible for the majority of golf courses in the region, is undertaking the construction.

American Terry Baller, who has significant global experience with many of the top design companies, is the design consultant.

“We are very much looking forward to reopening for play in September for our members and guests and providing world-class putting surfaces on the Majlis course for many years to come,” said May.

The post Majlis greens to grow up to 40% as USGA specification rebuild begins at Emirates Golf Club appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.