News

Relocation of the 17th Green at Little Aston with a splash!

2007 commenced with an interesting project involving the relocation of the 17th Green within an adjacent lake at LITTLE ASTON GC, West Midlands.  The Club is to host the English Amateur Championship in 2010 and has been making a number of course alterations in preparation.

One of the largest of these projects has involved the redesign and relocation of the 17th green. Martin Ebert of Mackenzie and Ebert Ltd was responsible for the design and the STRI were involved as the course agronomists.

After being appointed in December 2006, JG Ltd commenced construction on site in early January 2007. The first aspect of the project required the lake to be completely drained and de-silted under fairly challenging mid-winter conditions (including two inches of snow!).

After setting the green out in the proposed location a retaining structure consisting of recycled vehicle tyres formed into specially bound blocks was installed around the perimeter of the proposed green. We then began filling over and around the blocks to form the green base and surrounds to the proposed levels using a substantial amount of sub-soil excavated from a borrow pit located behind the practice area beyond the far shore. This meant running the material through the centre of the lake, using our specialist low ground pressure dumpers. In fact, to avoid any disruption to the course or indeed the existing 17th fairway, all the materials including the gravel and rootzone for the USGA specification green, were hauled through the centre of the lake.

The previously stripped greens turf was re-laid onto the putting surface, with the extensive surrounds being turfed using an imported turf.

All works including the creation of three additional tees were completed by late February 2007.

We returned in the winter of 2007 to construct a number of Competition tees to extend the course yardage. These works involved tree removal and clearance to areas beyond the existing tees.

Other early projects for 2007 involved bunker reconstruction projects at BRANCEPETH CASTLE, Co. Durham & PETERBOROUGH MILTON Golf Club.

Landfill Course Construction

Phases 4 and 5 were completed at HART COMMON GC, Bolton during the summer. This 18-hole redevelopment is being undertaken in conjunction with a large scale inert landfill operation. The works involved the complete construction of 8 holes on top of the newly filled areas.

An extensive primary drainage system was installed at various depths to aid in drying the fill material and deal with the large rainfall figures common in this location. The design, undertaken by Simon Gidman, involved creating strategically placed swales to divert surface water away from fairways, greens and approaches. All greens were built to USGA criteria and the fairways/approaches are sand capped.

At GRIM’S DYKE GC, Pinner, we reconstructed the 17th green, along with constructing an extensive flood relief channel for Harrow Council. The new 17th hole extension at CHEVIN GC, Derby was completed this year on pastureland adjacent to the existing course. The new hole is set in the fabulous rolling countryside of this peak district location.

GREEN RECONSTRUCTION work was completed at DIBDEN GC, Southampton. Initially two greens were rebuilt ahead of programme. So impressed were the club with the results, we were commissioned to undertake a third green before leaving site.

The 17th hole was completely reconstructed at MOORTOWN GC, Leeds. This highly regarded Championship Golf Course is due to host the 2009 Brabazon Trophy. The reconstructed hole, designed by Ken Moodie of Creative Golf Designs was undertaken on the difficult peat sub strata that underpins the majority of the course. Special construction techniques were adopted to ensure that all the new features remained stable.

Further Afield

Overseas, we completed our first contract in DENMARK at MOLLEAENS GC. A two hole extension incorporating a new lake designed by Hawtree Ltd.

Autum 2007 - Busy with Binkering

The first 9 holes of bunker reconstruction were completed at MARKET HARBOROUGH Golf Club, a total of 45 bunkers being finished within three months. Works commenced mid-September and were completed in early November. Architect Cameron Sinclair was responsible for the design, with sand faces 2/3rds up the slope and a shallow revetted turf edge. All bunkers were drained into the existing drainage network.

The bunkering on the back 9 holes is to be carried out this autumn starting mid-September.

We returned to SICKLEHOLME GC, Peak District this autumn for the fourth phase of their bunker reconstruction works. As is typical with many clubs, Sickleholme are gradually having all bunkers reconstructed over a number of years. Each phase has involved between 12 and 15 bunkers being completely rebuilt with rolled grass faces.

At OAKDALE GC, Harrogate we completed twelve rather impressive bunkers to designs by Hawtree Ltd. This project involved the introduction of additional bunkers, as well as complete reshaping of existing, in the original Mackenzie style.

All bunkers to the par 3 course at the HOEBRIDGE Golf Centre were reconstructed along with new footpaths to improve the infrastructure on this popular course.

This autumn we were also awarded the contract to reconstruct all FORTY FIVE bunkers at St MELLONS GC, Cardiff. As with many well established parkland courses, the bunkers had seen better days. The largest problem that the club wanted to rectify was the sand being washed off the steep bunker faces. A redesign proposal was undertaken by the STRI, with the rolled turf face style being adopted. Bunker bases were dished with Polybed drainage pipe installed. The bases were also lined with inverted turf to prevent stones contaminating the bunker sand; a number of swales and subtle moundwork also introduced to the surrounds to deflect surface water from entering the bunkers and washing the sand down.

The Polybed pipe drainage system was used in all bunker bases and outfalls. With this system the terram wrapped pipework laid in 450mm wide trenches backfilled with stone act as large soakaways.

2011 Open Championship Preparation works

Finally, we are proud to have been involved in the preparations for the 2011 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP at the ROYAL ST GEORGES GC, Kent. Under the design and supervision of Mackenzie and Ebert Ltd, the works involved the construction of numerous ‘Tiger’ tees, set within the sand dunes. Green, approach and surround reconstruction to the 14th with refurbishment of the bunkering on the 18th was undertaken with great success.

CARNOUSTIE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE OPEN 2007

This year's works started with improvements to the 3rd and 6th holes at Carnoustie with new bunkering, reshaping of fairways and extensive new moundwork bringing the dunes more into play.

So effective were these modifications that Martin Hawtree requested we returned in the late autumn to complete the reshaping of the dunes on the 18th.

HESWALL GC

Major alterations were completed at Heswall Golf Club with 3 new holes constructed on adjacent arable land in the summer and 3 hole alterations on the existing course in the autumn.

A new lake and several water features were created on approximately 40 acres of new land. Extensive drainage and sand banding to the new fairways and approaches was undertaken.

All USGA Greens were turfed using purpose grown rootzone based greens turf. Major alterations were completed at Heswall Golf Club with 3 new holes constructed on adjacent arable land in the summer and 3 hole alterations on the existing course in the autumn. A new lake and several water features were created on approximately 40 acres of new land. Extensive drainage and sand banding to the new fairways and approaches was undertaken. All USGA Greens were turfed using purpose grown rootzone based greens turf.

RUDDING PARK GC, REPTON SHORT COURSE

At Rudding Park in Harrogate, Simon Mackaness requested that Martin Hawtree create the leading golf practice facility and short course in the North of England.

A high quality 6 hole short course has been constructed including a superb walled island green along with sleeper edging to the 4th and 6th greens adjacent to a new lined stream.

Also with new putting, chipping and bunker greens it is sure to elevate these already superb facilities to even greater heights.

TSADA GC, CYPRUS

Overseas, in the furthest corner of Europe, the reconstruction of the Tsada Golf Club, one of three existing 18 hole courses on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, was tendered for in March. With the contract awarded and mobilisation of plant and equipment shipped to site for work to commence middle of May, the works were completed by the end of November. This has been a remarkable achievement considering the logistics and sheer volume of works. Extensive earthmoving, drainage, rock wall construction and pathways were constructed in addition to the course reconstruction. Designed by Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie and Ebert Ltd.

ROYAL OSTEND GC, BELGIUM

In the autumn 5 greens were reconstructed in Belgium at the beautiful links setting of Royal Ostend Golf Club.

ROYAL MID-SURREY GC

Back in the UK, works in the autumn included the reconstruction of a further 10 greens at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club, Richmond, to USGA criteria with the existing greens turf being re-laid and leading agronomist George Shiels advising.

LITTLE ASTON GC

The 17th green at Little Aston Golf Club, Sutton Coldfield has been relocated within the adjacent lake and the lake extended. Designed by Martin Ebert of Mackenzie and Ebert.

HART COMMON GC

Extensive work is ongoing at Hart Common Golf Club, Bolton with the phased reconstruction of this eighteen hole golf course. Four new holes are being constructed on the newly land filled areas to designs by Simon Gidman.

THE GOODWOOD CLUB

Earlier in the year further modifications were carried out to introduce the 'WOW' factor to holes 1 and 17 on the newly redesigned downland course at The Goodwood Club by extending the lake across the 17th approach with an ornamental flintstone wall alongside the green.

ROYAL WATERLOO GC

The reconstruction of the 'La Marache' course at the Royal Waterloo Golf Club, Brussels, was finished with the rebuilding of the second 9 greens along with new fairway bunkering and medal tees to designs by Martin Hawtree.

HART COMMON GOLF CLUB

Six new holes were built on a landfill site at Hart Common Golf Club in Bolton. The existing course is being raised by up to 5 metres with new greens and tees built to modern standards. Fairways and areas of concentrated use are being ameliorated with sand.

PARKHOUSE HOTEL

A new Par 3 course with 6 new large greens and 18 individual tees was constructed at the Park House Hotel, Midhurst, designed by Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie and Ebert Ltd, with a new lake and stream winding between the holes. All playing areas were sanded to ensure all year playability.

WOODHALL SPA

A new putting green was built at Woodhall Spa for the English Golf Union.

NORTHENDEN GOLF CLUB

Works started in earnest on 19 September with a contract for the reconstruction of all 18 greens at Northenden Golf Club in Manchester. These were rebuilt to USGA criteria designed by Simon Gidman with the existing greens turf being re-laid. A new main arterial pumped drainage system consisting of 12 chambers with over a mile of 150mm diameter twin wall pipe and ditches linking the chambers was also installed, each containing a pump to return the ground water back into the adjacent River Mersey.

WINDERMERE GC

Also on 19 September work began replacing the remaining 14 greens at Windermere Golf Club. A difficult site with outcrops of rock and a very wet climate the greens were rebuilt to USGA standard and rootzone to newly constructed greens surrounds with the existing greens turf re-laid and 'Bargold' Arena turf bought in for the collars and surrounds.

HAREWOOD DOWNS GC

A further 7 greens were rebuilt to USGA criteria at Harewood Downs Golf Club to new designs by Simon Gidman and supervised by leading agronomist George Shiels. The greens turf was specially grown on rootzone to match that used in the construction.

LUFFENHAM HEATH GC

Works continued at LUFFENHAM Heath under the supervision of Martin Hawtree with the construction of 2 new greens and 40 very intricate bunkers.

2 greens were reconstructed at the Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club and at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds the 5th green was totally rebuilt to USGA criteria on a geotextile/gravel raft in order to stabilise the underlying liquid peat.

THE GOODWOOD CLUB

The beautiful downland course at Goodwood has been totally redesigned and rebuilt for Lord March in order to make this the finest downland course in the UK, hoping to attract major tour events and achieve a place in the top 100 courses. The majority of work was completed by May, fine tuning with buggy paths and enhancement works are continuing throughout this winter, designed by Howard Swan.

TYLNEY PARK GC

At Tylney Park, nr Hook in Hampshire, this 18 hole course has been redesigned with 6 new holes built on adjacent farmland including an ornamental lake.

The holes on the remaining parkland have been totally rebuilt to a new layout designed by Tom Mackenzie of Donald Steel & Co Ltd. All greens are constructed to USGA guidelines with extensive sand amelioration to green approaches, surrounds and tee walk off areas. Extensive tree planting is scheduled for this winter.

GORSTY HILL GC

The new 18 holes at Wychwood Village, the second course here, built in the rolling Cheshire countryside, was grown in and handed over at the end of September. Due to open in the spring of 2005 this will relieve the pressure off the main championship course across the way at Wychwood Park.

COOMBE HILL GC

A total rebuild of all bunkers at Coombe Hill Golf Club, Kingston upon Thames has been very well received, and is receiving wide acclaim from all who play there.

LUFFENHAM HEATH GC

All the bunkers are being rebuilt at LUFFENHAM Heath Golf Club over 2 years with the first 9 holes having just been completed. This Braid course of distinction is having bunkers resited and reconstructed to designs by Martin Hawtree.

STRATFORD ON AVON GC

Further bunker renovation works were completed at Stratford on Avon and Bromborough Golf Clubs with new bunkers being constructed at the Ongar Park Golf Club. Prominent 'sleeper' faced bunkers are featured here.

The first phase to reconstruct the La Marache 18 hole course at the Royal Waterloo Golf Club, Brussels , was carried out in the spring with the reconstruction of 9 greens and surrounds with new fairway bunkering. The second 9 holes is due to be completed next spring. The 9 hole Bois Heros course having been built some 2 years earlier.

Other works include new green and tee construction at Swindon Golf Club; also 2 new holes on the coast at Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club to alleviate the safety problems in these links.

A new first tee and pathways with 'rubberised' tarmac surfacing along with landscaping around the clubhouse at The Beaconsfield Club., New tees at Wanstead Golf Club, East London. A further tee is to be reconstructed at Hadley Wood Golf Club.

A rolling programme of 3 holes per year has just commenced for the reconstruction of Hart Common Golf Club in Wigan, the works being phased to allow income to be generated from landfill operations. Designed by Simon Gidman.