Fairways upgrades its driving range

Fairways Golf Course has installed a new synthetic mat at its driving range that’s more grass like—and already more popular—than the conventional plastic mats it had there previously. Called Ultimat, the material is thicker than conventional mats, thick enough that a golfer can hit with a regular tee rather than the rubber ones found on many driving ranges. Kris Kallem, PGA professional and general manager at Fairways, said the Ultimat was installed April 14, and already has received rave reviews from golfers who have practiced on it. Kallem said he doesn’t typically use the driving range a lot, but he practiced off the mat three times in the first three days it was there. “When you hit a good shot, it feels like you are leaving a divot,” Kallem said. “When you hit it fat, you can feel that too. It gives you that feedback you need.” In addition to feeling more like grass, the mat doesn’t leave residue on a golfer’s clubs, another plus for golfers. One long row of the Ultimat was laid down at the driving range, as opposed to individual mats at each station. In addition, the golf course, located just off the Interstate 90-Four Lakes interchange on the West Plains, replaced the yardage markers on the driving range and put up large flags that make for better targets. Kallem said that for him, it makes it a better place to practice. “If it’s a more pleasant experience, you’re going to practice more,” he said. Sundance Golf Course, located in the Nine Mile Falls area north of Spokane, also has installed Ultimat at its course, but it’s unclear whether other courses in the Inland Northwest have it as well. The improvements to the driving range first in a series of improvement planned at the 18-hole course. Kallem said Fairways bought a paving machine and will start paving its cart paths this summer. He’s unsure how much of the course will be paved this season, but eventually, the course will have 3.6 miles of continuous cart path. “This will enhance the curb appeal of the course,” he said. Fairways will start by paving paths around tee boxes and holes, which will give a distinct boundary to the course and its out-of-bounds areas. “It will define the holes and better define where the turf ends and the natural grasses begins,” Kallem said. Fairways also is putting in a new irrigation system that will be more efficient and will reduce the amount of water evaporation that occurs at the course. Currently, the club has a large water feature at is 12th hole from which water is pumped to irrigate the course. Now, however, Fairways is tapping into a city water line and installing a system that will better control irrigation and watering of the course. “It’s a neat deal,” Kallem said. Located at 9810 W. Melville Road in the Cheney area, Fairways is a privately-owned, open-to-the-public 18-hole course. From the men’s blue tees, it has a rating of 70.9 and a slope of 130. For more information, go to www.golfthefairways.com.