Tag Archive for: EcoBunker

EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

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EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor: Synthetic bunker edge pioneers EcoBunker have appointed Charlie Taylor to the position of Technical Sales Manager in a move that is set to strengthen the relationship between the brand and its customers.

Taylor began his career at Gillingham Golf Club where he qualified as a greenkeeper. After 3 years at Gillingham, he moved into generalist grounds care before starting his own grounds maintenance business. Having undertaken a number of projects in collaboration with EcoBunker, when the opportunity to join the business arose, Taylor could not turn down the opportunity.

EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

EcoBunker announces appointment of Charlie Taylor

“It was obviously a tough decision to close my business, but the chance to return to my roots in golf and to work with a brand that I truly believe in was too good an opportunity to miss,” said Taylor upon the announcement of his appointment. “With a superb range of bunker edge technology, bunker liners, lake edging and now LOKSAND, EcoBunker is growing at pace. I’m delighted to be part of the team and look forward to helping drive the business forward to the next level.”

Taylor’s role will see him manage customer relationships, ranging from project consultations and quotations, to supervising installations and ensuring quality and longevity of installations. Wherever a customer needs input from EcoBunker, Taylor will manage relationships so that customers have quick access to the answers they need.

“We have a superb product and our installations are second to none, but we needed someone with a detailed technical knowledge and a fantastic talent for customer service to strengthen the team and manage a rapidly increasing number of leads and enquiries,” commented CEO Richard Allen. “Having worked closely with Charlie on several projects, we were absolutely thrilled that he wanted to join us. He has the perfect blend of skills for the role and we can’t wait to see the service he delivers for our customers and the impact that he has on the business.”

Taylor has been in position since the end of January, where he helped introduce EcoBunker’s latest innovation – pre-cut synthetic tiles – alongside the first showing of LOKSAND to the U.K. market. For more information on working with EcoBunker or to arrange a visit to your venue, please contact charlie.taylor@ecobunker.co.uk or visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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EcoBunker to Introduce LOKSAND at BTME

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EcoBunker to Introduce LOKSAND at BTME: EcoBunker has agreed a partnership with LOKSAND Global that gives the erosion control specialists and leaders in synthetic bunker edge technology exclusive rights to the distribution of LOKSAND in the U.K. Details on the partnership and new products will be available to view at BTME in Harrogate from 20th January.

LOKSAND is a soil amendment featuring interlocking, crimped fibres that bind and stabilise soil and sand profiles. Deployment of the LOKSAND soil amendment allows greenkeepers, contractors and architects to tackle the problem of poor turf quality in heavily trafficked areas, including strengthening cart-path entry and exit points, walkways and green exits — without resorting to repair or hardscape options.

EcoBunker to Introduce LOKSAND at BTME

EcoBunker to Introduce LOKSAND at BTME

“We can honestly build nearly anything with LOKSAND,” said Danny Potter, owner of global distributor Centaur Holdings. “We’re still establishing the limits of what it can do. We’ve used it to stabilize the steep noses that dive into bunkers, rolled-over edges, slopes where golfers enter and exit bunkers or green complexes, and obviously, grass walkways. It binds and keeps everything in place without compromising percolation in any way. What’s more, LOKSAND can be mixed using whatever soils and sands you have on site, so there’s no need for any expensive import of particular sand mixes. If you have a project where the soil needs stability, strength, durability and drainage, then LOKSAND is the perfect solution.”

The first LOKSAND installation in the U.K., is set to begin at Woodhall Spa this week. It is being used in conjunction with EcoBunker hidden edges and EcoTec bunker liners, showing off the perfect combination of technology now available through EcoBunker. This follows the success of the recent Hann Reserve installation in the Philippines that saw LOKSAND used to re-inforce deep bunker shaping underpinned by EcoBunker edges at the interface with the sand.

“LOKSAND is a brilliant innovation. It allows greenkeepers, architects and contractors to lock in design features in areas that are traditionally vulnerable to wear,” said Richard Allen, CEO of EcoBunker and inventor of synthetic bunker technology.” Add in the superb drainage attributes, the consistency of surface that can be achieved and the lifespan of the product, you can see why we jumped at the opportunity. Our first installation is going in at Woodhall Spa alongside two of our core technologies and we can’t wait to show off how the joint innovation bring long lasting benefits to the course.”

Danny Potter will be present on the EcoBunker stand – 246, Hall 2 – at BTME from 20th January, where he and Richard Allen will introduce the benefits of LOKSAND technology to the European turfcare industry. Alongside LOKSAND, EcoBunker will present their brand new pre-cut tile technology, offering visitors the opportunity to see for themselves how pre-cut can halve the time of synthetic bunker builds.

For more information on EcoBunker please visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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EcoBunker Pre-Cut Revolution Halves Bunker Build Time

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EcoBunker Pre-Cut Revolution Halves Bunker Build Time: 18 years after Richard Allen first conceived the idea of using synthetic turf to create low maintenance, high durability edging for bunker walls, industry pioneers EcoBunker have announced the latest in their long line of innovations in the sector – Pre-Cut synthetic tiles.

“EcoBunker Advanced was the last big step forward we took in bunker edge technology,” said Richard Allen, CEO of EcoBunker and inventor of synthetic bunker edging. “That enabled us to build bigger, stronger walls with fewer synthetic tiles, so the impact on the business and our bunkers was very dramatic. While our latest innovation, pre-cut tiles, might not be as obviously impactful, the results we are seeing from early adopters are quite remarkable.”

EcoBunker Pre-Cut Revolution Halves Bunker Build Time

EcoBunker Pre-Cut Revolution Halves Bunker Build Time

The process of installing traditional EcoBunker Advanced walls and edging involves the individual cutting of each tile to provide the flexibility required to shape the bunker wall. With the new pre-cut tiles, build time on each project is dramatically reduced, while quality, consistency and safety are all increasing.

“Pre-cut might not sound much, but an average bunker uses 750 synthetic tiles so that’s a lot of time saved! But it’s not just the cutting time,” continued Richard. “Greenkeeping staff have to wet pallets if they become dry, handle tiles with care when they turn them over, and they have to use a Stanley knife to hand-cut each tile. When you also account for all that time unstacking and re-stacking, we have been able to reduce the average bunker build by half on several projects. And when we pre-cut, each tile has exactly the same cut. This all adds up to a very high level of quality, consistency and durability.”

One club that has already used pre-cut tiles in the third phase of their work with EcoBunker is Lundin Links. Having previously used traditional EcoBunker Advanced technology, course manager, Gavin Neill, noticed an immediate and significant impact.

He said, “For the first two phases of our bunker restoration project we used EcoBunker Advanced and the results have been fantastic. The new bunkers look great and have significantly cut down on maintenance time. For the most recent phase we used the new EcoBunker pre-cut tiles and couldn’t believe the time we saved on installation. We are now able to build bunkers in half the time. Eliminating all on-site cutting also means that not only is it quicker, but it’s safer and reduces the number of waste tiles.”

While the introduction of pre-cut offers immediate advantages for clubs who are looking to build new bunkers themselves, the benefits of the new system are also available for clubs who want to commission a bunker project.

“As a contractor who regularly installs EcoBunker products, having the option to buy pre-cut Advanced Tiles is a major advantage for us. It removes the need to spend time on site cutting tiles, which immediately reduces labour hours, accommodation and travel costs, and allows us to offer more competitive and transparent quotes to clubs,” commented Andrew Greenslade, Managing Director at AMG golf course renovation. “Pre-cut tiles also mean we can start construction as soon as we arrive, rather than losing one or two days preparing materials. This keeps the programme tight and helps us deliver projects more efficiently.”

“We’ve introduced several advancements to the bunker sector, but this has actually been one of the most difficult to perfect.” concluded Richard. “Now we have the tooling and methodology to create consistent cuts every time, this will revolutionise the way in which greenkeeping teams approach a bunker project. All the advantages of EcoBunker technology remain – significantly lower maintenance, increased longevity, sustainability and zero sand contamination – and all of that is now accessible in half the time.”

For more information on EcoBunker please visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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Links Kennedy Bay Re-opens with EcoBunker Technology

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Links Kennedy Bay Re-opens with EcoBunker Technology: One of Australia’s leading golf courses, Links Kennedy Bay, has fully re-opened following an 18 hole re-design that includes the addition of over 100 pot bunkers featuring synthetic revetted faces from U.K. bunker specialists EcoBunker.

The ambitious project was led by former Tour professional and acclaimed course architect Graham Marsh, working alongside Western Australian industry leader Trevor Strachan. With the original back nine sold for development, the redesign required a brand-new back nine as well as the rerouting of holes 5 to 9. The changes gave Marsh a rare blank canvas to elevate playing conditions while safeguarding the long-term integrity of the course.

Links Kennedy Bay Re-opens with EcoBunker Technology

Links Kennedy Bay Re-opens with EcoBunker Technology

“The use of EcoBunker was validated through a feasibility study by Trevor Strachan, which confirmed its long-term advantages over natural revetting,” said Adam Strachan of Sports Turf Construction, project manager for the redevelopment. “I was initially concerned about using synthetic faces in such a beautiful, natural landscape, but the results are superb. The bunkers are indistinguishable from natural revetts and come with a minimum 25-year lifespan.”

Chief among the challenges for the re-design were the extreme weather conditions in the area. Along with the very hot, dry summers, Perth is renowned as one of the windiest cities in the world. In addition, the region receives up to 600mm of rain annually, most of which comes in the winter months, making bunkers vulnerable to sand blow, wash out and erosion.

“The course previously had natural revetted bunkers, but with exposure to the elements many wasted away into sandy faces and became very irregular. The new design ensures consistency across the course, maintains the intended challenge that golfers face from the bunkers, delivers a sharp, natural aesthetic and will do all these things for many years without significant maintenance,” continued Strachan.

Bunker walls on the course now range from 60cm to a dramatic 1.8 metres. Installed by Sports Turf Construction with support from EcoBunker Australian distributor Turfcare Australia, the system adapted to every design challenge across the four phase project.

“The course takes inspiration from the world’s great links courses,” Strachan concluded. “We’re particularly proud of our interpretation of the famous ‘Hell Bunker’ from the 14th at St Andrews. EcoBunker gave us the stability to create an intimidating, visually striking feature that will stand the test of time. After building 100+ EcoBunkers at Kennedy Bay, I’ll be looking to use this technology wherever possible in future projects.”

For more information on how EcoBunker can help meet the challenges faced at your course, visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

For all enquiries relating to Australian-New Zealand and South Pacific, please contact Turfcare Australasia at www.turfcareaus.com.au or Sales@turfcareaus.com.au

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Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

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Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days: Bunker specialists EcoBunker welcomed 20 greenkeepers and club managers from across Devon & Cornwall to its latest club open day, hosted by Newquay Golf Club. 

The EcoBunker open day series is being held across the summer, giving club officials and greenkeeping teams around the U.K. the chance to draw on EcoBunker expertise in bunker design and maintenance, and to better understand the benefits to be gained from employing EcoBunker technology at their course.

Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

“Bunkering is a complex topic, so we want to give clubs across the U.K. the chance to draw on our vast experience,” said Richard Allen, CEO of EcoBunker. “Courses need to consider bunker design, drainage, sand choice, which liners to use, edge irrigation and many other factors. We want to help them unpick the topic and find solutions that best fit their needs. We have chosen venues for the open days that have installed EcoBunker technology so we can show examples at work and also introduce them to greenkeepers and course officials who have benefitted from investing in their bunkers.”

The recent event at Newquay G.C. showcased the results of phase one of the club’s bunker renovation project, where all Par 3 greenside bunkers and the bunkers on the first hole were replaced in Autumn 2024.  Now fully bedded in, attendees were able to see the benefits of EcoBunker technology in action and discuss the impact of the project with Head Greenkeeper Dan Kendle.

“We’ve been delighted with the impact of Phase one,” commented Dan. “We’re exposed to the elements so the maintenance of the bunkers was a huge issue. Replacing sand, weeding, repairing eroded sections, it all added up to a real drain on our resources. Not only have we massively reduced that burden, but the course also looks better and plays better. We couldn’t be happier with phase one and it was a real pleasure to share our experience of working with EcoBunker with the visitors who attended the Open day.”

This was the third open day in the series, following events at Cotterell Park G.C. and Lexden Wood G.C. The events have seen the team share information on course design, irrigation and drainage, and at Lexden Wood they were able to show the current full course project installing EcoTec™ bunker liners.

“When people hear EcoBunker, they will often think of our high revetted bunkers, but there is far more to our service than that,” continued Richard. “Our expertise is unrivalled. We bring a holistic approach to every project that considers the course type and layout, the ground conditions, the local climate and many more factors, before applying the most suitable technology, or even removing bunkers completely where they’re not needed! Our Open days are a fantastic chance for us to show people what we can do, and for them to learn what is possible at their venue.”

For details of upcoming stops on the EcoBunker Open Day schedule, please contact ceri.richards@ecobunker.co.uk

And for more information on how EcoBunker can help meet the challenges faced at your course, visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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