Sustainable beach specialists EcoBunker have completed the first phase of work at Newquay Golf Club in Cornwall, replacing 13 bunkers with its EcoBunker Advance retrofit technology.
Harry Colt’s beautifully redesigned links overlooking the Fistral coast, Newquay GC is presented in every aspect with sea views. It was with these features and challenges that Dan Kendle, Head Greenkeeper at Newquay, sought a solution that would improve the course for his members and maintenance teams.
“Many of our cottages in the green area have been restored, but every three or four years they need to be repaired. “We also struggled to keep the sand in the rooms and they kept needing weeding around the edges,” said Dan.
“We have improved all areas of the course in recent years, we also got the position of host of the Cornish PGA festival, but the bunkers are the only place we can go higher. We needed a long-term solution that would improve playability, reduce maintenance costs, and free up time to focus on other areas of the course, so we spoke to the team at EcoBunker.”
Despite some reservations about integrating an artificial solution into the natural environment, Dan brought in the team at EcoBunker to install a test bunker on the 18th hole. The response from the members was very positive, and the beauty of the installation blends perfectly with the natural environment. Following the successful trial, the first phase of 13 dormitories has been installed and 27 more are planned in two other phases.
Richard Allen, founder of EcoBunker, said: “Newquay is a fantastic course set in an absolutely stunning location. The course design is perfect for reclaimed bunkers and with our EcoBunker Advanced technology we can build them in a completely sustainable and natural looking way. Dan and his team are doing a fantastic job with this course and it has been a great pleasure to be a part of the ongoing development.”
Dan added: “We changed all the greenside bunkers on the par-3, and the greenside bunkers on the first hole. I wanted golfers to come down for the first time and experience these great restored residences and know they were about to take a valuable lesson. They set the tone, and along with the par-3 bunkers, offer golfers a more advanced course experience.
“The members are happy with the results. The new bunkers look amazing and really add to the quality of the course. But from a green keeper’s point of view it’s the little things that make the difference, like being able to get a solid cut over the bunkers and shifting our focus to the greens tees and fairways where the fairways were taking up most of our time. The club is investing a lot of money, but these bunkers will outlast my time at the club, and will pay for themselves in reduced maintenance and improved playing style.”
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