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.

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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Carnoustie give back to local community

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Carnoustie give back to local community: Carnoustie Golf Links are supporting a joint project with the Carnoustie Branch of Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) to provide bespoke hampers to those in the local area who could do with a little help this Christmas.  

The RBLS currently supports many families already, through their Food Share programme, which enables the Legion to ensure they are choosing the right items for each family when creating their personalised Hamper, in time for Christmas.

“It is very important to us, especially at this time of year, to look out for our local friends and neighbours. To be able to help, in a small way, with the Royal British Legion is the least we can do” said Michael Wells, Chief Executive of Carnoustie Golf Links.

“I speak for all at the Carnoustie Legion when I say that we are extremely grateful for the support that Carnoustie Golf Links gives us.  Their support to the FoodBank has underpinned our work for the past year and we are proud that the Links have chosen to support the Legion with a further £1000 for this project.” Davie Paton of the Royal British Legion, Carnoustie.

Having recently reached the milestone of £250,000 of contributions since achieving charitable status back in 2014, Carnoustie Golf Links have continued their season of giving by also awarding the Carnoustie Claymores £1500. The money will be used to install a portable defibrillator at Carnoustie High School and include training for club officials and High School staff.

Pat Sawers, Chairperson of Carnoustie Golf Links said, “We are delighted to be in a position where we are able to assist the town in providing much needed and potentially lifesaving equipment.”

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Dennis & SISIS off to STMA

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Dennis & SISIS off to STMA: Dennis and SISIS are heading to West Palm Beach, Florida on January 13-16, to exhibit at the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) Conference & Exhibition.

The British manufacturers have exhibited at the show for a number of years, which takes place in various states across America yearly and have on each occasion reported huge success.

Dennis & SISIS off to STMA

For the 2020 show, visitors to the stand (booth 131) can expect a fabulous insight into the array of world-class turf maintenance products manufactured by the British innovators.

Products appearing on the stand will include:

Syn Pro SVR 1500 – for synthetic turf

The SVR 1500 deep turf cleaner is a tractor mounted system that removes not only large debris from the infill but also finer dust particles before returning the ‘cleaned’ infill back to the surface.

Designed for use on either sand or rubber filled surfaces, the SVR 1500 is ideal for deep cleaning and aiding de-compaction. Operators will notice that this process allows water to permeate through, which can help to reduce bacteria, algae and moss and minimize the risk of player injury.

SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid 1500 – for aeration

This popular machine injects air directly into the root zone speeding up the aeration process, moving air uniformly throughout the root zone for complete aeration and not just where the tines have penetrated the surface. Those operating the Javelin Aer-Aid have the flexibility to alternate tines for other operations such as hollow coring prior to top dressing. Other benefits include a fast forward speed for excellent productivity, minimal maintenance and a smooth and quiet operation.

Dennis G860 – for that perfect finish

The G860 cylinder mower features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish. Weighing just 166kg, it is light and extremely versatile due to the interchangeable cassette system. With a simple one-minute changeover, users have the option of fitting thirteen different types of heads including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, slitters and cutting cylinders

Dennis ES-860 – environmentally friendly

This 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of thirteen interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brush, slitting and aeration.

A robust keypad screen is an integral feature of the handlebar console providing the operator with a multitude of information options including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports and battery information.

Dennis PRO 34R – for debris collection

The Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower which has been designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface. It is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements

A number of experienced turf experts from Dennis and SISIS will be on hand at the exhibition to speak in more detail about the products.

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter & Instagram @DennisMowers and SISIS @SISISMachinery. You can like the Facebook page –www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK and www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers and www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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