Pete and his railroad ties

[Shaupeen]

I love playing Pete Dye's courses.  There are a few around Denver and they are wonderful.  In addition to the golf challenge, his attention to detail is amazing.  I particularly like his use of old railroad ties as a landscaping tool.  Does anyone know his process for preparing them and setting them?

Pete?

[mvmac]

Can't really find anything on the process of putting them in but here is some info on the origin of the railroad ties

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/columns/story?columnist=tanber_george&id;=3686000

Quote:

At Prestwick, Dye saw for the first time how railroad ties -- called "sleepers" there -- were used as bulkheads to keep eroding sand in place. He marveled at the pot bunkers, the natural grasses, the undulating fairways, and the small, quick and sharply contoured greens.

[Shaupeen]

Awesome read.  Thank you.

I'm looking to put a few dozen "sleepers" in my backyard for the same reason.

[Dave2512]

What else did he do in the metro area besides Riverdale Dunes?

[saevel25]

Probably like placing a sign post, or a mail box post. You got to drive them deep enough to resist the horizontal pressure of the landscaping. The pressure increases the higher up. So they probably sunk them into some sort of concrete base, or use long rail road ties that that can go deep.

[Shaupeen]

I was also concerned about the wood rotting out from contact with the ground.

[Shaupeen]

What else did he do in the metro area besides Riverdale Dunes?

Plum Creek, Casstle Rock

Green Valley Ranch

Broken Tee (Par 3 and the redone front 6 of the 18)

Glenmoor CC

[joekelly]

More ties creosote treated, doesn't rain much in Denver. Creosote not 'green'. Ties very dense and heavy and difficult to drill thru if using rebar to tie together. Pete Dye never lifted one, i would venture to say.

[Strandly]

I was also concerned about the wood rotting out from contact with the ground.

Nah they're definitely treated with something.  I thought it was some kind of tar or road tack type liquid years ago but maybe it's different now.

[teed off]

More ties creosote treated, doesn't rain much in Denver. Creosote not 'green'. Ties very dense and heavy and difficult to drill thru if using rebar to tie together. Pete Dye never lifted one, i would venture to say.

Creosote oil is a good wood preservative and railway ties last a long time before they rot. Unfortunately creosote also has a very nasty odor and if you use them in your landscaping project be aware that on a hot humid day it may be difficult to to sit out on your deck and enjoy a B-B-Q.