Whisper Rock Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ limits membership to protect a high-quality golf experience, and superintendent Mike Pock chose Profile™ Porous Ceramic for the L93 bentgrass greens to support that standard. A 13 percent Profile and 87 percent sand root zone mix was selected through physical analysis to enhance drainage, air pore space, and water and nutrient holding in the desert climate. The resulting greens developed 8- to 15-inch roots, firm playing surfaces, and porosity that stayed within USGA guidelines, allowing extremely low mowing heights, reducing day-to-day “babysitting,” and helping satisfy members while guiding plans for a second course.
Key Points
- Private club with a membership limit of 255 (268 in 2003) focused on delivering a better golf experience through higher-quality greens.
- Physical testing led to a 13 percent Profile™ Porous Ceramic and 87 percent sand root zone mix to maintain drainage, air pore space, and water and nutrient retention in the Arizona desert.
- Profile/sand greens produced dense L93 bentgrass roots approximately 8 to 15 inches deep, creating firm surfaces that resisted ball and spike marks even at extremely low mowing heights.
- Soil analysis and undisturbed core samples showed high air pore space, strong drainage, and total porosity within USGA recommendations, supporting consistent performance and future course expansion plans.
