Cornwall Golf Union
Newquay Turns to EcoBunker to Protect Shifting Sands
[Report courtesy of Golf Business News]
Sustainable bunker experts EcoBunker have completed the first phase of work at Newquay Golf Club in Cornwall, replacing 13 bunkers with its EcoBunker Advance revetted synthetic bunker technology.
A beautiful Harry Colt re-designed links that looks out onto Fistral beach, Newquay GC is exposed to all the elements of an oceanic outlook. It was with these features and challenges in mind that Dan Kendle, Head Greenkeeper at Newquay, sought out a solution that would improve the course for both his members and maintenance teams.
“Many of our greenside bunkers have been naturally revetted, but every three or four years they are in need of renovation. We also struggled to keep sand in the bunkers and they constantly required weeding around the edges,” Dan said.
“We’ve improved all areas of the course in recent years, regaining host status of the Cornish PGA festival, but the bunkers were the only area we couldn’t get on top of. 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 a synthetic solution into the natural environment, Dan brought in the team at EcoBunker to install a test bunker on the 18th hole. The feedback from members was overwhelmingly positive, and the aesthetic of the installation blended perfectly with the natural landscape. Following the successful trial, the first phase of 13 bunkers has been installed with 27 more scheduled over two more phases.
Richard Allen, founder of EcoBunker, said: “Newquay is a fantastic course set in the most stunning scenery. The course design is perfect for revetted bunkers and with our EcoBunker Advanced technology we can build those in a completely sustainable and natural looking way. Dan and his team are doing an incredible job with the course and it’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of the continued improvements.”
Dan added: “We’ve had all of the greenside par-3 bunkers replaced, along with the greenside bunkers on the par-four 1st hole. I wanted golfers to head down the first and find these big revetted bunkers and know that they were about to take on a serious course. They set the tone, and along with the par-3 bunkers, are giving golfers a greatly improved experience of the course.
“The members are delighted with the results. The new bunkers look stunning and they really add to the quality of the course. But from a greenkeeper’s perspective it’s the small things that make a difference, like being able to get a tighter cut on top of the bunkers and to shift our focus on to greens tees and fairways where bunkers previously took up so much of our time. The club is making a big investment, but these bunkers will outlast my time at the club, and will ultimately pay for themselves in reduced maintenance and improving the way the course plays.”
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