11/7/2014 2:11 PM
Don,
Back in September I helped set up a First Tee fundraising tournament at a neighboring 18 hole Par 3 course with 8 15" cup holes which were worth $1000 for a hole in one. (64 players, 1 hole in one and they only took $750 to remain amateur).
We got the Par Aide cutter and cups, found out to be able to mow over them you need a cap (also Par Aide) so if you want to leave them in for any length of time you would need that also. Just stored the plugs in a cart for the day and replaced them after the event. Replacing them was not as easy as a normal size but it went quite well and using a grave tamper was the key to getting things back level. An extra 5 minutes per hole replaced vs a 4".
My opinion, was ok for a one time event but certainly would not want to do on a regular basis and certainly not on 18 holes, should be just for a special few holes, maybe just a/the par 3's or 5's. It took an extra two weeks (a month total) for the plugs to disappear.
Before buying the "stuff", see about sharing it and expenses with other courses for fun events. TFT of MT bought it all and will rent it to facilities to use for their "fun/special" events.
Pete Grass, CGCS
Hilands Golf Club
Billings, MT