ROLLING MEADOWS, IL

According to a survey conducted by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), golf establishments accounted for 4.7 percent of all sod purchases in 1988. By 1997, the percentage increased to 8.14 percent. Government figures display nationwide sales of sod at approximately $500 million annually. TPI Executive Director Doug Fender explained, "Turfgrass is no longer just a remedy for poor construction or grow-in problems, sod has distinct environmental and aesthetic advantages over seed. But, it is economics that truly drives the sift to all-sod use."

Turfgrass sod installation also allows a golf course to produce a positive cashflow more rapidly than traditional seed because sod creates an instantaneous mature look. Sod can offer a key marketing factor in promoting the course or home sales in a planned community.

"Sod might enable a course to open 100 days earlier," remarked Fender. "For a course that plays 200 rounds every day at more than $100 per round, that adds up to $2 million in green fee revenues that would not be realized otherwise.

In comparison to seed applications, mature sod plants will lower costs for fertilizer, pesticide and water because they require less of each. Additionally, grow-in and management costs can be lowered by sod because it will eliminate the need to rework washed out areas that traditionally amount to 20-30 percent of a course that is seeded.

Fender stated, "Our turfgrass producers are growing golf course quality sod and can help recommend the appropriate species and varieties." He continued, "Industry innovations such as oversized turfgrass rolls, washed sod, and soil-less sod also are driving turfgrass sod's appeal for use on every type of golf course." For more information, visit the TPI website at www.TurfgrassSod.org or call 847-705-9898.