Watford, England: Hartsbourne Country Club is reaping the benefits of bunker restyling and construction using the latest products and construction techniques.

Several years ago, the club in Hertfordshire, north-west of London, engaged a leading golf course architect to undertake an audit of the course bunkers, along with a masterplan proposal and recommendations on bunker styling and strategy.

In the autumn of 2020, Hartsbourne decided that the time was right to act upon this professional advice and invited EcoBunker to demonstrate how it could deliver the architect’s vision. 

“Hartsbourne made contact with us about 18 months ago,” said Darren Clewes, Head of Sales at EcoBunker, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

He added: “Firstly, we reviewed the architect’s design intentions then walked several of the holes with club officials. After that we demonstrated the products that we considered would deliver what they needed.

“Later we took them to see the EcoBunker work at The Army Golf Club, where our full range of edging, liners and irrigation products had been deployed, before agreeing contractual details.

“We agreed to do a Phase 1 project on two holes, the eighth and ninth, which together have 10 bunkers. Our team, guided by former Walker Cup player and greenkeeper Llewellyn Matthews, started on site on November 30, 2020 and during the work, we added two more bunkers on the second hole.”

On the completion of Phase I, EcoBunker and the club agreed to move straight on with Phase II, four more bunkers on the third hole. Phase III, another 20 bunkers, meant the entire front nine was completed by the end of March 2021.

During the summer, Hartsbourne golfers were able to enjoy the new bunkers. While the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, it was Course Manager Simon Watkins who noticed the biggest difference.

He said: “For many years, our regular bunker preparation work was intensive, but I now have clear evidence that the EcoBunkers only require the attention of one man whereas previously we needed four men to deliver the same quality. The saving in man hours has been incredible,” he said.

After detailed planning, Phase IV, which will see the whole of the main 18-hole course completed, started in late October.

Again, EcoBunker will be acting as lead contractor, providing all the engineering design, project management, earthworks, shaping, drainage, bunker liner and edge construction plus irrigation work.

“Llewellyn and his guys are really enjoying this project, delivering a first-class outcome for a knowledgeable and supportive client. Everyone understands that this is a team effort and as part of Phase IV our staff will be training the club’s own greens crew, so that the academy course can be done in-house,” said Clewes.