THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A golf course just outside Fort Smith is getting a major upgrade - artificial greens.

In fact, it is the first course in the world that will use a new kind of artificial surface technology.

Scott Bergmann, left, an installation consultant from Calgary with Southwest Greens International, and Allan Heron, president of the Pelican Rapids Golf and Country Club, inspect the synthetic turf being installed at the golf course just south of Fort Smith. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The new greens at the nine-hole Pelican Rapids Golf and Country Club - located south of the NWT/Alberta border several kilometres from Fort Smith - are being put in place by Scott Bergmann, an installation consultant from Calgary with Southwest Greens International.

"Every green is going to have synthetics on it," Bergmann said.

In a nutshell, the process involves compacting the base, putting a rubber cushion over that base, laying a polypropylene plastic putting turf on top, and then spreading silica sand and Flex Sand - a brand of rubber-coated sand - on top.

Bergmann said the combination of the cushion and Flex Sand makes the Fort Smith greens unique in the world.

It is designed to give the feel of a real grass green, he said. "Basically, what we're trying to do is replicate a root system."

The sand on the putting turf - about seven pounds per square foot - makes the turf hug the contours of the base underneath.

With proper servicing every two years, said Bergmann, the artificial greens should last between 15 and 20 years.

Allan Heron, president of Pelican Rapids Golf and Country Club, welcomes the new greens as a "wonderful" improvement for the course.

The artificial greens are replacing oiled sand greens, which meant players had to pull a mat over the putting surface to erase footprints and ball tracks.

"There won't be so much labour on the course," Heron said, adding golfers will have a more enjoyable time.

"It's going to improve the games and the times of the games," he said. "It's going to be a completely different golf game."

Heron also hopes the new greens will help attract more out-of-town golfers to annual tournaments at the course.

The installation of the artificial greens cost $226,000. This is paid for by the Town of Fort Smith, which gave both the golf club and the ski club $250,000 over five years. The money originated with the federal Building Canada Fund.

The golf club, which has between 100 and 125 members, would not have been able to undertake the project without government support.

"You couldn't come up with that kind of money," Heron said. "We don't have the membership."

As of the middle of last week, four greens had been completed and club members have been getting a chance to play on them.

"It's like putting on real grass on a top course in southern Canada," said Sholto Douglas, adding it is also much better than the artificial greens on some other NWT courses.

Douglas said that's because an approach shot "really bites" and holds the green, instead of bouncing off.

Bergmann added installation of the putting surfaces began about three weeks ago and should be completed in another week, "If the weather co-operates," he said.

Bergmann said the club saved about $100,000 on installation costs because members and community residents helped with the work.

"It's all been volunteer time," he said, adding several retired people help throughout the day and other volunteers arrive after they finish their regular jobs.