Golf is the most prestigious and symbolic for high social status game in the world. There is a big contradictory about its origins, but most golf courses in United States were built based on original designs and ideas from Europe. Top ranked, famous golf courses in America were built in the late 1890s. Most of them remain private, not accessible to the general public. But the history behind oldest golf courses is astonishing. Mysterious challenges of the game were developed in the architecture of natural landscapes by most prolific golf course designers of the last century. Original ideas, history behind the scenes of putting green can amaze the most sophisticated golf enthusiast. (photo: William Poultney Smith, AW Tillinghast and George Crump.) Pine Valley Golf Club Pine Valley Golf Club was ranked highest in Golf Magazine 100 Top Course in United States and the world in 2012. Designed and build by George Arthur Crump Jr. in 1913, Philadelphian hotelier and golf course architect, it is still considered the most challenging golf course in history. Golf fanatic and successful hotel businessman, Mr. Crump with his friend Joseph Baker travelled to Europe to study the most famous golf courses in Britain and the Continent, and by the time of their return George decided to make a significant improvement in the golf industry in his homeland. Most golf courses at this time were built with a minimalistic approach to the site base. Instead, George used European ideas. During his hunting expeditions to New Jersey region, his decided to purchase 184 acres of sandy ground deep in pinelands, where he drained and pulled out twenty-two thousands of stumps with steam-winches and horse-drawn cables. His idea of a golf course was out of ordinary. No hole of his course was laid out of parallel to the next. No more than two running holes can be played in the same direction. You can't see any hole other the one you are playing. Unlike any other traditionally designed golf course, a round of golf of Pine Valley Course required a player to use every club in his bag. George Crump was so obsessed with building his golf course; he died without seeing his project through. Some say; he committed suicide, others reported he died from an infected tooth. Nevertheless, four last holes he never completed was made by other golf course's architects after Crump's death in 1918. The unique in its approach to the game, Pine Valley Golf Course has not been hosted any professional golf tournaments due to its limited space for thousands of spectators. This club is private except for one day in September of every year for general public to watch the Crump Cup, nationally recognized tournament for amateurs. Augusta National Golf Club Augusta National Golf Club was designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie and opened for play in 1933. Interesting enough, initially, Alister MacKenzie was not a golf architect. He was a military surgeon in Britain army during Boer War when he became acknowledged with military camouflage. Later on, he said, "the brilliant successes of the Boers [during his service in South Africa] were due to the great extent to their making the best use of natural cover and the construction of artificial cover indistinguishable from nature." After war, MacKenzie left medicine, became a member of several golfs clubs in England, and remained on Green Committees for years until 1930. His modern for his time ideas about golf courses included undulating greens, narrow and long greens angled from the center of the fairway, large free-form bunker shapes, and additional contouring. Those ideas became part of his development of Augusta National Golf Course. MacKenzie's golf architecture was born before the era of massive scale land preparation, and he was seeking to adjust the beauty of natural land layout with the game needs. Augusta National Golf Course was open exclusively for male golfers until 2012, stressing out for 79 years that it is a private club and has the right to defend its membership policies. Cypress Point Golf Club The same golf designer, Alister MacKenzie, who designed Augusta National Golf Course, was the lead architect of Cypress Point Golf Club along with Robert Hunter. Located in Monterey, California, this private golf club is regularly rated among the best golf courses in the world. It has a single 18-hole course, and the 16th is played over the ocean. Opened in 1928, this golf course is another beautiful design idea of MacKenzie naturalistic approach. MacKenzie let the course fall where it does naturally, and the Monterey's coast is the most spectacular place on earth. Falling through the dunes of the coast, the course travels into Del Monte forest and reemerges to the coastline for the most amazing finishing holes. Some say that it is a "truly the Holy Grail of golf." Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Claimed to be the oldest golf club (1891) in United States, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is located in Southampton on Long Island, New York. It has hosted the U.S. Open four times. Can you imagine, how much the founders paid for 80 acres of land back in 1889? $2,500. The pay-off was quick with $4,400 paid in membership for newly signups. This golf club was originally designed by Willie Davis from Royal Montreal Clubs with 12 holes in 1891. Willie Dunn from Scotland added six more holes, getting the course to 18. In 1985, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club held second U.S. Open. It appears though that the course wasn't challenging enough, and it was abandoned in 1901. In 1937, William Flynn redesigned the course into 6,740-yard configuration. It hosted 2004 U.S. Open only after extension of 256 yards. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is often called "favorite ladies club" for its acceptable of women golfers from the first day of its opening. The ownership of the land is under a question though. Indian Nation of Shinnecock claims that this land was illegally seized in a white land grab in 1859. Oakmont Country Club Oakmont Country Golf Club is one of the older in United States (opened in 1903). It was built by Henry C. Fownes, former iron manufacturer from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia. His Carrie Furnace Company, sold to Carnegie Steel Corporation in 1896, made him a wealthy man at the age of 40. He spent his retirement years playing golf and investing in his private golf club. His idea of a golf course was simple. He purchased 200 acres of vast farmland, got one hundred and fifty workers, and with two dozens of mule teams, slowly built a link-style course. Today, his golf course is considered one of the most difficult in the United States. It has large, extremely fast, and undulating greens. At those times, Haskell ball became more and more popular, and Fownes build his course to handle this new technology at 6,400 yards. It is 1,200 feet longer than recommended 6,000 yard length. Without today's technologies, bulldozers and earth-moving equipment, Fownes has built Oakmont Country Club relying on the natural landscape. His course originally had 100 bunkers, and fairways over existing hills and swales presented Oakmond's mysterious challenge. Herbert Warren, a famous journalist, called Oakmond "an ugly old brute" in the New Yorker. No long after, the club committee planted trees to make the course look more beautiful, but in the mid-1990s trees were removed due to its destructive effect on the course. The wind is a big factor in navigating the course, and it is no doubt a challenge for golfers. Merion Golf Course (East) Merion Golf Course (Haveford Township, Pennsylvania) is a private golf club founded in 1896 by members of Merion Cricket Club. Designed by 32-year-old Hugh Irvine Wilson, a Princeton University graduate, the Merion East was open in 1912. Hugh was an excellent golfer himself, but he has no idea how to build golf courses. To achieve his goal of building decent golf course, he traveled to Scotland and England to bring back traditional ideas. Distinctive Scottish-style bunkers, we know today as the "white faces of Merion," are the result of this trip. Merion Golf Course hosted 5 U.S. Opens from 1934 to 2013. This club was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992. Pebble Beach Golf Links Located in Pebble Beach, California, Pebble Beach Golf Links golf course is mentioned among the most spectacular courses in the world. Its wide open views of Carmel Bay on the south side of the Monterey, Peninsula are incredible. Established in 1919 as part of the complex of the Hotel del Monte, it was originally designed as a local excursion route for visitors. One of its designers, Jack Neville, was focused on placing as many holes as possible along the coastline. This created a "figure 8" layout. Various changes to the course were made up to 2014. Pebble Beach hosted U.S. Open five times. The next scheduled time is 2019. Pebble Beach Golf Links is not private anymore. It became public in 2001. Winged Foot Golf Club Winged Foot Golf Club is ranked number 8 by Golf magazine. It is a 36-hole golf course in Mamaroneck, New York. Its architect, Albert Warren Tillinghast was one of the most prolific architects and writers on sports in the history of golf. He designed around 265 golf courses. Shackelford wrote. "Humor and quirkiness abound on his holes, but every course is a strong test of skill from the first hole to last." Tillinghast always felt that greens were essential to any course. In writing about Winged Foot, he said that its "holes are like men, all rather similar from foot to neck, but with the greens showing the same varying characters as human faces." Winged Foot Golf Club had hosted six U.S. Open, two U.S. Amateur, various PGA Championships, and U.S. Women's Open. It is a private golf club for the rest of the year. Sand Hills Golf Club Sand Hills Golf Club was built in 1995 and designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. It is located in the Sand Hills of Nebraska. Ranked high, this golf club remains unqualified, but claims to be a links course as Pebble Beach Golf Links. When the main design was done, there were a hundred different holes on the course. It was slowly reduced to 18. Sand Hills Golf Club does not have all characteristic of seaside links, but it is one of the most naturally arranged golf courses. There is no better place for a golfer to disappear for a few days due to its remote location. Fishers Island Golf Club The Fishers Island Club is a private country club on the east of Fishers Island, New York. Founded in 1926 and design by Seth Raynor and Charles Banks, it was called the "Cypress Point of the East." This link-style course is only two miles wide and eight miles in length. Accessible only by ferry, Fishers island Club is one of the most prestigious golf clubs in the world. The island itself became very popular among the most affluent New Yorkers who have bought property there in their search for secluded seascapes. It is impossible to play at this golf course for anyone who is not a part of its up-scale community. ...

Companies that manufacture or install artificial lawns are experiencing a boom in business, due to the drought-like conditions and watering restrictions in many North Texas cities. But the synthetic lawns today aren't the same plastic AstroTurf made popular in the 1970s. The products on the market now, are not just used for putting greens and football fields either. Tim Dvorak, owner of the company Synthetic Grass Pro, and gets calls every day from homeowners inquiring about artificial grass. "I discussed this with many turf manufacturers, that's a big thing they notice. As soon as there are drought restrictions, watering restrictions, or an ordinance like the City of Dallas two-days a week restriction, it really just makes this industry explode," said Dvorak. Today's synthetic lawns are made to stay cool underfoot, drain water well, and last for 10-15 years. The products come in different shades of green, different textures, and mimic different varieties of natural grass. Choosing artificial can be expensive upfront: prices range from $7.50 to $15 a square foot. Many homeowners with artificial grass installed in their yards feel that the investment was worth it. "The initial cost is expensive, but it's already paid for itself over the four years. Not having to re-sod it, not having to water. The yard guys[come less often]. So it's more than paid for itself," said Dvorak. Many homeowners can be skeptical at the beginning, until they see the fake grass first-hand. Not all cities in North Texas are on board with artificial grass, though. Frisco does not allow artificial turf at this time, and many homeowners' associations have rules. Highland Park passed an ordinance restricting artificial turf to back yards. Other cities, however, have no rules in place limiting synthetic grass. Those cities include Dallas, Arlington, Denton, and University Park. ...

As California imposed its first-ever statewide rules to punish water wasters, a new survey showed why state officials say the drastic measures are needed: Californians actually increased their water use amid the worst drought in decades. The new rules, approved by the State Water Resources Control Board on a 4-0 vote, impose new restrictions on outdoor water use starting Aug. 1 that could result in fines of up to $500 per violation. Gov. Jerry Brown in January asked Californians to slash their water use by 20 percent. But a new state survey released Tuesday showed that water use in May rose by 1 percent this year, compared with a 2011-2013 May average. The survey of 267 water providers by the water board found that water consumption in the Bay Area dropped 5 percent. But in coastal California, south of Santa Barbara, consumption rose 8 percent. "California is in the worst drought we've seen in our grandparents' generation or beyond," said Felicia Marcus, the water board's chairwoman. "Fields are going fallow. Thousands of people are going to be out of work. There are communities that are out of water -- they're bathing out of buckets and water trucks are coming in to help them. "But many parts of California don't seem to realize how bad it is," she said, "because they are so far away from their source of water. We are all in this together, and this is not a time to waste water." The new rules ban washing cars without a nozzle on a hose; watering driveways or sidewalks; using potable water in ornamental fountains; and over-watering landscaping so that water runs off into roads and adjacent properties. Recycled water is exempt. Under the new statewide rules, any agency that does not impose mandatory conservation measures could be subject to state fines of up to $10,000 a day. But it remained unclear Tuesday whether local agencies will be able to keep in place rules that don't include enforcement or penalties. More than 60 percent of a regular residential home's water usage goes to lawns, in order to fight the drought effectively, changing real lawns to artificial grass or other low water requiring plantation becomes almost imminent. Synthetic grass company,Global Syn-Turf, Inc. offers more than 50 different type of artificial grass products with distribution centers throughout California: From Sacramento to Fresno to San Francisco Bay Area to Greater Los Angeles, you will be able to find their wonderful product to fit your preference. ...

Whether you have a whole pack of poodles or just one dog, dog runs are useful, and your hairy friends will enjoy playing and running around in them. There are different types of dog runs, and when you decide what type of a dog run to use according to your available space and budget, make sure that you have a pretty good idea what dog run is and how you can employ it. A dog run is a restricted area where the dog is safely kept and have enough space to exercise. A dog run can be private or public, designed for a single dog, or for the entire pack, like, for example, a public dog park. Backyard Dog Run If you are a homeowner, you may allocate a unique space on one side of your house, or inside your yard. The easiest setup presumes metal fence, but if you like to use the wooden fence instead, make sure that your dog won't tear it up. Choose shadowy place with easy access to water. Dogs should always have fresh water and a shady area to rest when it is hot outside. If your backyard is big, often it is difficult to keep your dog inside the fence. Chaining a dog is not an ideal option for multiple reasons. In general, chained dogs often more neurotic, aggressive, anxious, and unhappy than unchained dogs. They can get bitten more often by other animals. They are not getting enough exercise. In some regions long-term chaining of dogs, it is prohibited by the law. Keeping your dog inside a dog run area while you are not around is safer and much healthier for both of you. If your backyard is too small, it is a better idea to fence your dog to make sure he can't escape and also to protect items he or she may chew on. If you use chemicals or fertilizers for your lawn, remember that it is not safe for animals. It might potentially create rashes and allergies, vomiting and liver problems. Synthetic turf surfaces are much safer for dogs if you want them to be in a good health. If you keep your dog inside a dog run with a natural grass surface, you will start to see brownish spots in a matter of months. No matter what you do, either try to hose it down or soak the area with nitrogen, it is impossible to get rid of them. Grass dies from dog's urine. It never happens if you have synthetic grass inside your dog run. Portable Dog Runs As an alternative, portable dog run can be useful to keep a dog out of trouble. It is more used for travel, but can be good as a temporary solution in some circumstances. Most pet stores carry portable dog runs. Dogs have much more freedom to do their "business" than traveling on a leash. Dog Parks Public, fenced-in, off-leash dog parks are another category of the dog run. Some dogs love socializing with their friends, but it is no for everyone. You can be removed from the dog park if your dog is active in an aggressive fashion. Check carefully your dog reactions to other dogs before entering the run with your dog. Otherwise, dog parks are the best, safe environment for your dog to run and play. ...

Bernhard Langer received first place in the Senior Open Golf Championship! Global Syn-Turf congratulates him on not only receiving first place, but also breaking over fifteen records as well! Langer's 13 stroke winning margin over his rival Colin Montgomerie was enough to obtain the trophy as well as break the former stroke margin record of 12, set in 1997. His rival Colin calls it a "great performance." Bernhard's win puts him at rank 2 overall, just behind Colin Montgomerie. The course looked greenly vivid, and the putting green artificial grass looked well maintained and real. The environment was great, and Bernhard not only won but broke records as well. It truly was a wonderful event to watch. ...

Bernhard Langer received first place in the Senior Open Golf Championship! Global Syn-Turf congratulates him on not only receiving first place, but also breaking over fifteen records as well! Langer's 13 stroke winning margin over his rival Colin Montgomerie was enough to obtain the trophy as well as break the former stroke margin record of 12, set in 1997. His rival Colin calls it a "great performance". Bernhard's win puts him at rank 2 overall, just behind Colin Montgomerie. The environment was great and Bernhard not only won but broke records as well. It truly was a wonderful event to watch. Bernhard Langer endorses Global Syn-Turf's artificial grasses. You can find the finest artificial grass right in his backyard in Palm beach, Florida. ...

A surprisingly high number (80%) of U.S. households have a private lawn. The collective cost on our daily lives is significant. Consumers as a whole annually spend around $40 billion per year to maintain and improve their yard, and the growth accelerates as the U.S. population matures. Lawns, flower gardening, shrub care, general landscaping, and artificial grass are all essential components of local economies. The personal and public benefits are well-documented. A healthy and green landscape traps pollution, prevents runoff, improves the air we breathe and can significantly increase property values. Gardening is a healthful activity both physically and emotionally. Contact with nature for the typical urban dweller is often limited to the patch of green that surrounds their home. An estimated 63 million U.S. adults watch wildlife around their home. - Improper design, plant selection and maintenance of our lawns and gardens can negatively affect our environment and waste precious water resources. - Improperly applied pesticides and fertilizers that end up on impervious surfaces can be washed into a nearby stream with the next rain. - Urban areas generate nine times more runoff than a woodland area of the same size. - Selecting appropriate plant varieties and proper maintenance of turf areas can significantly reduce water use and off-target movement. This fact sheet was developed as a resource for responsible Lawn Care and Landscaping and to provide background information. Total lawn acreage and average size 27.6 million acres of artificial grass in U.S.; 21 million acres in home lawns. 80% of all U.S. households have private lawns. Average American lawn is 1/3 acre. Close to 80% of homes has a lawn and account for 18 million acres. 50 million homeowners maintain residential lawns. In the U.S, alone, it is estimated that there are more than 31 million acres of grass. Over 80% of this grass is found in residential lawns. A comprehensive 1995 study estimates that the total amount of residential lawns in the United States ranges from 14 to 26 million acres, with 17.7 million acres as a conservative estimate. Artificial grass has been growing tremendously in popularity in states such as Texas, California, New Jersey, etc. The national average lawn size is about 1/5 of an acre for the 85 million households with a private lawn. Estimated average lawn size varies from state to state, ranging from 0.06 acre in Washington, DC to 0.51 acre in Georgia. Residential lawns comprise the largest part of turf grass in many states for which data are available, and this component is increasing. In North Carolina, residential lawns account for 69% of total turf grass area in the state and have increased in acreage 29.8% between 1994 and 1999. In Virginia, 52% of artificial grass acreage is in home lawns, and this component has increased 43% between 1982 and 1998. Artificial grass is becoming a clear choice for homeowners who are tired of overwhelming water bills. Courtesy of www.projetevergreen.com ...

From Florida to Phoenix fake turf decor is "all-the-rage"! If you have been thinking of redecorating why not start off with small accents! Immerse yourself into a creative project... Searching for the right idea? Look no further... synthetic turf to the rescue! There are so many practical applications for synthetic turf we thought that maybe you would be interested in a few unconventional applications designed to get your creative juices flowing!! We all know that a fake sod is perfect for ground cover, but artificial grass can be a beautiful accent to just about any new project you may have in mind. From patios to walls, let this be your reminder that everything does not always have to stem from its practical or "standard" use. 1. Patio or deck areas: This one is a great example! Create a tranquil sanctuary every time you enter your back yard by using fake grass as accent pieces designed to inspire and sooth. These additions are a great and inexpensive way to jazz up your humdrum outdoor areas. Start by using the gorgeous stuff as a cushion cover or maybe a stool to begin, and before you know it, your back yard will be a place where everyone will want to gather and contemplate their creative aspirations. 2. Indoor applications: Do you have a small area in your home that needs a boost? How about applying synthetic sod to bring it to life? Start by cutting an important piece big enough for one of the primary walls. Use heavy duty spray glue to attach and kick up your heals, the synthetic stuff will almost immediately begin its inspirational song with its calm and peaceful look and feel. 3. Unconventional floor is covering: Spice things up with a splash of texture and style. Cut a remnant of artificial grass to create a rug, or maybe a recover your wooden baseboards. The is a quick, easy tip to create an awe-inspiring dream for nature lovers. and finally 4. Get wild!! From cars to cup holders the options are limitless. Let your inner voice tell you what needs synthetic grass to bring it to life. You will be surprised by what you can come up with. When when your "Picasso" is complete...don't forget about us! Send us a photo of your MASTERPIECE! We can't wait to see what you come up with! ...

Even though it "feels like" we were hunting aster eggs a few days ago, our favorite season is almost upon us... FOOTBALL SEASON!!! Whether you favor the professional teams or maybe college sports is your thing, to matter where you are you can almost smell and feel the energy brewing! Now take that feeling and multiply it by 1000.This must be what it is like for the 60+ High Schools across the United States that will be playing their first home game on a new field of synthetic turf. The list of schools is a "Who's-Who's" of high school sports and the number of teams is growing by the day! When I sat down to write this blog I soon discovered that it would be an easier task to list those who "DID NOT" install a new athletic sports field this year. And I will add that those schools on the "DID NOT" list were only there because they are waiting for their own installation of artificial grass to begin! Like I stated, the list of educational institutions is vast, however states like Oregon, Louisiana,California, and West Virginia are but a few of the schools we will be hearing about for the next several months. Keeping in mind this list only refers to the High Schools using the amazing new playing surface. There are countless Universities and other venues popping up every single day! The schools that will have their first pitch, first touchdown, or first point on fake will witness first hand what an impeccable and refined surface they are playing on. A field that was tailor made to fit the needs of an athlete of any kind. There is only on question that comes to mind...what will you do with all of your "newly acquired" spare time? Time that you used to spend cleaning up muddy footprints. Well? I guess, lets go warm up the grill! Say hello to A FEW of the schools and teams that will enjoy their first game on new modern turf that was designed with the player in mind... Mountaineer Stadium, TX University of Idaho, ID Oregon University Nolan Catholic, TX Boys Latin, Maryland Washington High School, Washington DePew, High School, IN Pomona Unified, Pomona, CA Ouachita Christian, Monroe, LA Jupiter High School, Palm Beach, FL ...

Don't you wish that any small investment always yielded a massive return? Well, choosing synthetic turf can turn your small investment into a positive for our planet and put some cash in your pocket. One of the biggest advantages of being a home owner is that when you decide to sell your home, you have the opportunity to improve your chances of selling by doing certain things to develop your property's "Curb Appeal"! Increasing your "Curb Appeal" could make your resale skyrocket!!. The replacement of spotted landscapes, the careful placement of artificial turf grass, and the overall, well thought out, landscaping of the property surrounding your home can significantly enhance the "curb appeal." The increase of "curb appeal" will result in an increase in the resale value of your home. ...