health and safety (both from the contractor and the club’s viewpoint), programme of hole closures or reconfiguring, spoil handling and, most importantly, timing of the works. Most clubs prefer work to be carried out between October and April when the course is quiet, whereas contractors want to be on the ground from April to October when days are longer and conditions on the ground allow quicker, neater work.


It was equally important for White Horse to understand the requirements of the club, their expectation in terms of drainage performance and any constraints that the club might necessarily place on the execution of the works, such as hours of work, particular days when all holes must be open, access routes, spoil and material tip areas. The essence was that both sides should, as far as possible, know what to expect from the other and that an achievable, realistic course of action be agreed on. Following on from this discussion a number of fairways were identified as being at the top of the list to be treated. These holes were surveyed and a draft drainage design presented to the club.


Once the design had been considered and it had been agreed by all that areas of concern had been addressed, costs were finalised, the order placed and a commencement date pencilled in. As with all members clubs it is very important that the members are made aware of the nature of works to be undertaken, the level of disruption and the future benefits of the treatment to their course. White Horse prepared an information poster for the club detailing the company, the machinery to be used, the areas of work and why the work was required. These posters were placed around the club and proved very useful in keeping all concerned informed. The order of work was agreed with the club and work commenced in August 2007. The drainage design set out to address two issues; the flow of surface water on to fairways or high traffic areas and the removal of surface water from high value areas such as approaches and landing areas.


Moor Allerton is set in rolling ground and the natural slopes of the course shed water to the valley floor. The flows cross high traffic areas, from tee to fairway and across fairways. One design requirement was, therefore, to cut off or reduce this


flow before it reached the areas of concern. Drainage was placed to the high side of fairways, in the form of cut off/collector drains, and at the head of gullies and small valleys that crossed areas of concern. Fairways and approaches had lateral drains installed at close spacing to allow for rapid removal of surface water. It should be noted that on undulating fairway surfaces it is more important that drainage laterals are placed to address problem areas rather than to stick rigidly to a spacing. With this in mind drainage was set out and agreed with the Head Greenkeeper before work commenced. In general, fairway laterals were constructed to an average depth of 550mm and trenches were formed using a Mastenbroek trencher fitted with laser levelling equipment, ensuring that falls were kept constant. The use of laser levelling kit is critical where fairways are undulating or have remnants of older rig and furrow drainage systems. The laser level will ensure that the bed of the trench has a constant fall regardless of surface undulations. The trencher is fitted with an elevator


that removes excavation spoil directly in to following dumpers to be taken to the


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