How this course survives in one of the hottest places on earth

Maintaining a golf course can be difficult in any context. But try preparing turf in the hottest, driest place in North America, at the highest altitude in the world.

Bobby Alford is the assistant superintendent at Furnace Creek Golf Course, in Death Valley, Calif., where the course dips 214 feet below sea level and summer temperatures often crack 120 degrees.

We asked him how those burnout conditions affect course retention, and how he and his team keep their cool. To hear more from Alford, watch the accompanying video.

What you need to know about H20

Furnace Creek is a literal oasis. It resides in ancient wells that provide what Alford describes as “a limitless abundance of water.” Not that he would ever want to waste it, which means the sprinkler heads come on when the sun comes up. In many areas, night watering turf is considered a no-no, as humid conditions, left to sit, invite disease and other problems. It’s a different story at Furnace Creek, where most watering happens after dark: 8pm to 5am is prime watering time, Alford said. “It’s not just our problem because water doesn’t last long.” Sometimes, he and his team see water during the day. “But to water a day you probably have to water twice as long to do your job.”

Which turf can I take?

Spoiler alert: not a cool-season grass. Alford and his team tried a number of turf varieties. He says that sometimes he feels that they have been sold for debt. “Most of the grasses that the companies have suggested we use, they all grow well,” said Alford. “But after two weeks, they started dying.” Nothing they have tried goes beyond the two brands they rely on: the regular Bermuda for tees, fairways and rough, and the Tifway 419 Bermuda green. “We’re going to have times where the lowest temperature at night is 101 degrees, and the grass doesn’t get a chance to cool off. Bermuda is the only one that can’t handle it.”

Mellow mowing patterns

Trimming is reduced from every day to every other day, which reduces wear and tear during stressful times. It also gives the grass time to grow, which is key to the durability of the lawn. If the long leaves are shiny, Alford says, the grass can tolerate the heat better.

Human limitations

To protect its guests, Furnace Creek limits tee times during the summer. If you want to play 18, you should start before mid-morning. The course takes the same precautions as its employees, putting on early morning shifts (starting at 4am instead of 5:30am) and cutting the workday off at noon. Regular breaks are encouraged, and if the temperature is near 120 degrees, outdoor activity is stopped and everyone is brought inside.

Machine versus nature

Extreme heat can be hard on engines and batteries, among other maintenance parts. The solution is to treat machines the way you treat people, says Alford. Provide plenty of fluids – or coolant – and allow frequent breaks.

Josh Sens

Golf.com Editor

Golf, food and travel writer, Josh Sens has been a contributor to GOLF Magazine since 2004 and now contributes to all aspects of GOLF. His work has been honored in The Best American Sportswriting. He is also the author, with Sammy Hagar, of Are We Have Any Fun Yet: the Cooking and Partying Handbook.