Tag Archive for: drainage

Summer Drainage Projects Across Southern England

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Summer Drainage Projects Across Southern England: Summer provides an ideal window for major drainage works on golf courses, with firm ground conditions and reduced disruption while many members are away during the holiday period. This allows essential infrastructure projects to be delivered efficiently while minimising impact on play.

Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions has supported a number of drainage projects across southern England this summer, with consultant Greg Evans providing drainage design and project management from planning through to delivery.

Summer Drainage Projects Across Southern England

Summer Drainage Projects Across Southern England

Working closely with owners, general managers, course managers, and specialist contractors, each project was planned around the specific challenges of the site. The focus was on practical outcomes, clear communication, close coordination with club operations, and minimal disruption to play.

Recent projects include:

  • Singing Hills Golf Club – Phase Two of the club’s drainage programme, involving the installation of over 7,000 linear metres of pipe
  • Old Fold Manor Golf Club – Drainage works to the 1st green and 2nd tee
  • Sunningdale Heath Golf Club – Completion of drainage works on the 10th fairway, finalising the club’s main fairway drainage network

Each project was designed to improve surface performance through the wetter months, reduce the impact of heavy rainfall, and provide more consistent turf quality over the longer term.

“With winters becoming wetter and more unpredictable, drainage is increasingly important for playability and turf protection. These projects highlight the importance of clear planning, close coordination with contractors, and careful on-site management,” said Greg Evans.

Further drainage projects are planned for 2026, as Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions continues to work with clubs to deliver reliable, year-round playing conditions.

About Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions

Greg Evans MG is one of a small number of Master Greenkeepers worldwide, providing agronomic consultancy, drainage design, and project management services to golf clubs across the UK.

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Broomieknowe gets instant drainage improvements

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Broomieknowe gets instant drainage improvements: Following a successful year-long trial, Broomieknowe Golf Club in Scotland made the decision to permanently add the Air2G2 336 from Campey Turf Care Systems to its turf maintenance fleet, after seeing significant improvements in drainage and root development across its greens.

Broomieknowe Golf Club, located in Bonnyrigg, just outside Edinburgh, is a picturesque parkland course that has been a staple of the Midlothian golfing scene since its establishment in 1905. With its mature tree-lined fairways and testing greens, the course presents a fine balance of challenge and playability for its members and visitors.

Broomieknowe gets instant drainage improvements

Broomieknowe gets instant drainage improvements

Whilst, under the care of Head Greenkeeper Billy Hudson, who joined the club just under a year ago, the challenge has been slow drainage in the 18 greens. Billy knew the half-sand, half-soil composition needed to be addressed to make progress, and he turned to STRI consultant Gary Smith during the club’s annual agronomy visit for advice.

Gary suggested a trial programme using the Air2G2, a machine Billy was already familiar with from his time at Ratho Park Golf Club, where he first purchased one in 2017.

“When Gary came to the club in June 2024, he suggested we use the Air2G2 once a month on the greens over five months to improve the rooting and drainage, and we noticed significant improvements,’ Billy explains.

“It was clear the greens needed attention, but after speaking with Gary, we agreed that simply applying more sand wasn’t the answer. Instead, we needed to explore alternative forms of aeration, and that’s when Gary suggested the Air2G2.

“For the trial, we got someone in to do the work for us, but the results were so impressive that we knew we needed to get a machine of our own to continue the progress.”

The impressive results observed at Broomieknowe are largely due to the innovative design of the Air2G2. The machine works by laterally injecting air into the root zone at three different depths using probes that penetrate the soil without surface disruption. This fractures compacted layers and increases pore space, promoting better water infiltration and oxygen flow to roots. It’s particularly effective on fine soil profiles, where traditional aeration might be less effective or more disruptive.

The club now uses the machine early in the mornings, rotating across six greens per week, allowing them to cover all 18 in three weeks. Because of the minimal impact on the surface, this is done without causing any disruption to golfers.

The relationship with Campey Turf Care Systems has also played a key role in the decision. Billy originally dealt with Campey’s Richard Heywood when buying the Air2G2 at Ratho Park and says the backup service has always been spot on, with support always there when it’s needed.

With the Air2G2 now an integral part of their maintenance programme, Billy is confident Broomieknowe’s greens will continue to thrive, especially during the wetter months, when drainage performance becomes critical.

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GKB delivers the secondary drainage solutions

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GKB delivers the secondary drainage solutions: One of the country’s leading sports construction and maintenance companies has explained why they turn to GKB Machines when it comes to solutions for secondary drainage.

Following the wet winter, Plant and Operations Manager for White Horse Contractors, Mick Cross, predicts a busy season ahead for their pair of Drainmaster’s alongside their GKB Deep Tine Aerator (DTA).

GKB delivers the secondary drainage solutions

GKB delivers the secondary drainage solutions

White Horse Contractors were early adopters of GKB equipment, with some machines on their fleet clocking up more than 10 years of reliable service. In addition to two Drainmasters and the DTA, two Combinators and a Rotobrush from GKB form part of a sizeable fleet of equipment, used on projects across the south of the UK by a team of 40+ operatives. “When it comes to purchasing machinery, two things we look for are time-effective solutions and build quality – giving us the reliability to keep on track with a packed schedule” explains Mick, who has been with White Horse for over 30 years. “The Drainmaster’s tick both of these boxes.”

The 2 or 3 cutting wheels of the GKB Drainmaster are spaced at either 50cm or 1m, creating channels at a depth of up to 23cm which are simultaneously filled with sand to leave a stable surface, with improved, long-lasting drainage. “The beauty of this machine is that it conducts multiple operations in one pass, meaning we’re not having to cover the ground multiple times or use multiple machines.”

Mick continues, “We purchased our first Drainmaster in 2010, and a second one more recently and both are out on a regular basis between March and October. Last year, they completed work on upwards of 20 pitches – both natural turf and hybrid pitches which is another great thing about this machine.” Together with football pitches from local council up to Premier League level, the Drainmaster has also been put to task on polo grounds and racecourses. “It’s versatility, efficiency and robust build quality makes it ideal for the contractor market” he adds.

“The DTA is very much built in the same vein, giving us a tough and reliable aerator for regular work on elite sports surfaces.” Mick concludes, “There aren’t many manufacturers offering products so well suited to the requirements of the contractor market which is why we’ve already invested in a fleet of GKB Machines and are currently in the process of increasing this with all eyes on a busy year ahead.”

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Mansfield Sand improves drainage and rooting

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Mansfield Sand improves drainage and rooting: Matthew Newman, Grounds and Sports Turf Manager at Hartpury University and College, in Gloucester, believes that MM40 from Mansfield Sand plays an integral role in his renovation work.

Hartpury University and College are specialist education providers in agriculture, animal, equine, sport, and veterinary nursing, offering world-class degrees and facilities to over 4,500 students from over 60 countries.

Mansfield Sand improves drainage and rooting

Mansfield Sand improves drainage and rooting

Matthew himself was once a student at Hartpury. Fast forward two decades and he now oversees a team of thirteen members of staff at the college where he became qualified.

Matthew and his team have been carrying out their own renovations for three years after previously employing contractors to do the work. When it comes to sand for renovations, he uses MM40 Sport from Mansfield Sand.

Mansfield Sand is a company with history and pedigree – its origins can be traced as far back to 1840. It has been a long-standing pioneer in the development and production of premium sand-based products and boasts the most up-to-date and advanced equipment currently in the industry.

From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all.

MM40 Sport is sourced directly from the Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield where the company produces its renowned Mansil range of Silica Sands. MM40 is a medium sand which is predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of sports surfaces.

“We mainly use the MM40 for renovations,” said Matthew. “We use two tonnes of it on the PGA spec Mackenzie golf green; so, we vertidrain it and then we will top dress with MM40.

“We use ninety tonnes of if on the football pitches. This year we are taking the pitches down to 10mm. We then take all the debris off, scarify in three directions, and then collect any debris again so we have massively opened up the pores by now and got rid of all the thatch. We then will fertilise, top dress with the MM40 sand and then apply the seed.”

Matthew continued to explain exactly why a good quality sand is so important.

“We are predominantly on heavy clay, so in the winter it is holding moisture, and, in the summer, you can’t get enough moisture into it. The reason for the sand is to try and change that soil profile and give the grass something to reach into. So, we are trying to break that pan of clay up and inject sand into it.

“It’s a theory as opposed to digging up the entire pitch and starting again, but we are already seeing the MM40 improve drainage and rooting.”

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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AMS provide vital secondary drainage

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AMS provide vital secondary drainage: Cricket is a cornerstone of Winchester College’s student experience, and to enhance their already exceptional standards, the school enlisted AMS Contracting to install secondary drainage on their outfield.

Head Groundsman, Kim Larcombe, oversees the 250-acre site with the help of four groundsmen and five gardeners. Sixty acres are purely dedicated to sport, with cricket having a long and distinguished history at Winchester.

AMS provide vital secondary drainage

AMS provide vital secondary drainage

The programme is devised and run by the college’s cricket professional and is supported by several highly qualified coaches. A winter programme runs from October to the start of the playing season to help players reach their full potential, and it’s when the season comes around that the surfaces are vital.

With a tight 55-day schedule planned for summer 2022, Kim must ensure that matches go ahead as scheduled, with rained off games one of the most significant risks. Having had the outfield levelled in August 2021, the experienced 39 and a half year Winchester team member wanted to enhance the drainage with AMS.

Kim explains: “We had the outfield levelled back in August/September last year, and the plan was always to have some secondary drainage put in. We didn’t want primary drainage because we’re on chalk, so the water just goes away anyway, but we wanted to help the drainage and levelling a little bit as well.

“I had a preference on what secondary drainage I wanted to use, and I talked it through with AMS, and we looked at other options, but I had my preference.

“It was good to be working with a company who wanted to put options forward and explore them, but at the same time, they weren’t pushy at all. They just presented their opinions and were happy to proceed with what we wanted and work to get the best result.

“I’m really pleased with how the project went. It all ran very smoothly, and I think that was due to the project’s planning and then the execution. It’s filling in nicely, and it was left in good condition, so we were able to play on it a week after the work was completed, and that is a testament to how well everything went.

“We’ve got about 55 days of cricket coming up on there, so it’ll be very busy. Because we have such a busy schedule, we need to play the matches when they are planned, and that’s why having good secondary drainage is so important.”

The method of drainage requested by Kim was the Blec Vibramaster at 20mm sand slits, 250mm apart and 150mm deep. This was implemented after the whole outfield had been ShockWaved and was followed with topdressing, drag matting and overseeding using a 2.5m Vredo overseeder in two directions.

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