New Turf For The Dawgs At Payne Training Facility

UGA grass has always been a big deal. Seriously! You can quite literally major in it. The field at Sanford Stadium is a special type of turfgrass, known for its durability, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal -- all thanks to UGA's Turfgrass Breeding Program. The turfgrass is designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, it’s particularly suitable for athletic fields, golf courses, and parks. 

The turf indoors is just as important -- it's where the Dawgs practice. The University of Georgia recently unveiled a new turf system at the Payne Indoor Athletic Facility. Manufactured and installed by Hellas, Matrix Helix® monofilament turf systems are  designed to withstand all the football training the dawgs do. 

"Georgia is an elite college football program," says Ryne Drummonds, Vice President of Business Development for the Southeast Region. "In 2024 the school decided to further invest in their teams' success as Hellas installed the Matrix Helix Turf System at the Payne Indoor Athletic Facility. We are proud to have been selected to be a part of the future success of these great Georgia teams."

The Helix Technology in this 120-yard Matrix Helix synthetic turf field consists of curled monofilament fibers that securely hold the infill in place, mitigating any concerns of migration and splash-out. Additionally, Hellas crews have incorporated the Cushdrain® shock pad into the installation. This elastic layer, expertly paved over a laser-graded drainstone foundation, ensures a level playing surface that maintains its integrity through multiple life cycles, while significantly reducing the risk of athlete injuries caused by hard impacts with the surface.

The Payne Indoor Athletic Facility, named after UGA All-star football player Billy Payne and his late father Porter Payne, a former Bulldog letterman, is fondly known as the "House of Payne." Situated at the Woodruff Practice Fields and connected to Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall in Athens, the facility is an integral part of the football program.

Though their school record 29 game winning streak was snapped in last year's SEC Championship Game by Alabama, Georgia beat Clemson 34-3 in week one and currently holds the unanimous number one ranking in national college football polls. With four national championships (1942, 1980, 2021, 2022) and 16 Conference titles, the Bulldogs have a rich college football history earning 62 bowl game appearances and producing two Heisman Trophy winners. Head Coach Kirby Smart has achieved a remarkable 95-16 (56-9 in the SEC) record since 2016, winning three SEC Coach of the Year titles and the last two national championships for Georgia football.

SOURCE: Hellas, A Tencate Company