EcoBunker at unique ‘golf lounge’

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EcoBunker at unique ‘golf lounge’: One of the most unusual and innovative golf projects in the world is taking shape in Mexico City, and EcoBunker technology is playing a critical role.

Architect Agustin Piza was commissioned by his client, a leading Mexican executive, to build a golf practice facility in the grounds of the client’s under construction new house. “I think my client had a regular putting and chipping green in mind, but I don’t do regular things,” says Piza.

EcoBunker at unique 'golf lounge'

The architect conceived something he calls the ‘Golf Lounge’, a large, freeform putting green and surrounds that enables users to practice any golf shot they like from up to 70 yards. At the centre of the construction is a large revetted sand bunker, which is where the EcoBunker solution is deployed. And, in the heart of that bunker is to be found the centrepiece of the whole ‘Golf Lounge’ concept – a fire pit.

“The central bunker is key to the entire composition,” says Piza. “During the day you can practice all types of shots from 70 yards in. Flops, bump and runs, lag putts. Anything you want to create, it’s there. It is a multi-purpose area – during the day the family can enjoy either practicing golf or playing in the sandbox. In the evenings, you turn on the music, turn on the lights, turn on the firepit and relax. You can still putt around it, have a putting contest, whatever you like. I knew I needed the central sandpit to be revetted. I did my research and with the evidence available to me EcoBunker is the most proven system in the world for constructing revetted bunkers, especially in climates like Mexico City’s. I spoke to Richard Allen, the inventor of synthetic revetting, who I had met several times at EIGCA functions and said ‘Send me your best installer’. He sent me Llewelyn Matthews who did a fantastic job.”

Piza says that this job, because it is in a domestic environment, was rather different to most architectural projects. “The safe rule in architecture is that form follows function, but in this case I wanted the function to follow the form. This meant extra detail to creative and engineering work,” he explains. ”I wanted the client and his family to fall in love with it just by seeing it through the windows of their home, whether or not they were golfers. So I conceived it as a kind of ‘grass sculpture’ that would be both beautiful to look at and functional. If it is just a golf facility, it is a waste of space to anyone who doesn’t play golf. This way, it is something for the entire family to enjoy.”

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Billericay strive to improve surface

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Billericay striving to improve surface: Billericay Town vice-chairman Greg Lake insists the club is doing everything it can to make sure less home fixtures are called off in the weeks ahead.

Town have seen numerous contests at New Lodge called off this season due to an unplayable pitch.

Billericay striving to improve surface

But Lake stresses Billericay are doing everything they can to get the surface into a better state.

In a club statement, Lake said: “Billericay Town FC, like all clubs, follow the protocols laid down by the FA and keep everyone informed as much as we can.

“As recent fixtures show this can then lead to a mixture of outcomes.

“However, there is no doubt that our pitch is currently in a poor condition.

“Billericay Town would like to assure everyone that we really are doing everything possible to get these games played.

“We do use protective sheets to cover the worst areas, we have industrial blowers, the machinery and manpower if required.

“It is certainly not a question of not providing everything that we can.

“Indeed, we’ve had other ground specialists down to support our own groundsman!

“However, we do have to recognise the sheer volume of rain that we have had over the last couple of months.

“Couple that with a pitch that has historical issues and has been dug up, new drainage installed and then relaid every summer for the last few years and there is undoubtedly a major ongoing situation to resolve.”

Billericay’s latest postponed fixture came on New Year’s Day, when they were due to host Concord Rangers in a National League South clash.

And Lake wants an artificial pitch in place for next term.

“We have already indicated our intention is to pursue an artificial surface for both the current playing surface and a brand new facility behind the far stand,” added Lake.

“This will bring an end to this type of situation and we are hoping to make that a reality in time for next season – certainly for the main pitch.

“It will also allow us to make New Lodge a true base for the whole club, bring training in house and make it more flexible in terms of hours.”

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