RAC call in TurfTrax
Long-standing water problem resolved at the Royal Automobile Club
FOR many years, The Royal Automobile Club at Woodcote Park in Epsom, Surrey have experienced drainage problems on their 4th green and approach of the Old Course, which routinely became unplayable due to water logging. This situation was particularly surprising given that the green is situated on one of the highest points of the course. Mr Mark Bovaird, General Manager of
the Royal Automobile Club, commissioned soil and turf specialists, TurfTrax Ground Management Systems Limited, to carry out a full course survey using their unique Electronic Magnetic Inductance (EMI) scanning technology. The aim of this survey was to assess soil and turf condition, which could then assist the club in prioritising a
Topographic data and drainage design for the 4th green and approach
remediation strategy for future years. The immediate focus, however, was the 4th.
Once the data had been processed and the soil samples analysed, the TurfTrax team began work on designing a bespoke drainage scheme for the 4th green and its approach. The design had to rectify the drainage problems without altering the shape, topography and character of the green; these were key requirements of the Membership. The existing turf on the green was stripped off and the main drainage infrastructure installed in October 2003. The green was then re-turfed using turf from a nursery that Mr Bob Wiles, Course Manager, had established some 12 months earlier. This turf had been grown on a bed of hollow cores taken from the other 17 greens, which would ensure that the species composition of the turf would match the rest of the course. Mr Bob Wiles commented that in his 27 years at the club the 4th green and approach had always been prone to water logging and sustained periods of ponding which had certainly worsened in the particularly wet winters experienced in previous years. In his time at the club many attempts had been made to resolve the water logging problems by adding more drains, but this has never really worked to the Club’s satisfaction leaving the green unplayable for much of the autumn and winter. Typically, the course would have 17 greens fit for play and one on a temporary green, which was never popular with the members. TurfTrax’s brief was clear from day one; the club required a solution that
Blakes Swan Song
HOWARD Swan, one of Europe’s most experienced golf course architects has designed an 18 hole golf course called Blakes, near North Weald in the heart of Essex which opens later this month. Construction on the 6,631 yard Par 71
layout began back in 2001 following a six month planning and design process. Swan Golf Designs were appointed by the developers in 2000 to refine the course as 18 holes from an original 27 hole masterplan. The end result is a memorable layout
with “an inland links feel”, open expanses, distinctive sleeper bunkers, gentle swales and four sets of tees to accommodate various levels of golfing ability. The opening nine is probably the more forgiving of the two halves with some
catching island green Installation of the lateral drains to the green
The 4th green fully back in play
would provide members and visitors with rounds of golf 365 days a year on all 18 greens. Following the completion of works in the spring of 2004, the drained area was able to accommodate some of the highest recorded rainfall intensities encountered. Indeed, the Club are so pleased with the results on the 4th that they have now commissioned TurfTrax to investigate ways of improving two further greens.
New golf course opens in Essex
superb undulating holes sweeping down into the valley making club selection even trickier. The 8th hole sounds simple a mere flick at 130 yards but Swan has created an eye-c
which adds to the difficultly of the shot and severity of the hole. The back nine is slightly longer at 3,416 yards but equally impressive and hazards are strategically placed to make the golfer think carefully about club selection. Blakes Golf Club which will operate on a
pay and play basis with a limited membership is also home to the Scott Cranfield Golf Academy with a 9 bay driving range and a designated chipping and bunker practice area for players to hone their skills on. The clubhouse is now fully operational with a stylish restaurant
and fully appointed locker rooms. Elsewhere, the
team of seven professional designers at Swan Golf Designs are currently working in 30 countries, from the USA, where the highly successful Eagle Creek Resort in Orlando is now open to new design projects in China.
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