Tag Archive for: EcoBunker

EcoBunker Synthetic Revetting More Sustainable than Natural Turf*

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EcoBunker Synthetic Revetting More Sustainable than Natural Turf*: *A recent report by the Welsh government has found that EcoBunker synthetically revetted bunkers have a significantly lower environmental impact than naturally turfed revetted bunkers.

The report specifically cites EcoBunker’s promotion of a circular economy alongside the consumption of vast resources including water, chemicals, fertilisers, and energy associated with turf farming.

EcoBunker Synthetic Revetting More Sustainable than Natural Turf*

EcoBunker Synthetic Revetting More Sustainable than Natural Turf*

“People often ask what is ‘Eco’ about synthetic revetting,” said EcoBunker founder Richard Allen upon the release of the report by the Welsh government. “We start with the fact that an average EcoBunker saves two tons of waste astroturf from landfill. All our turf is recycled so nothing new is created. Then there’s virtually zero maintenance in comparison with natural turf revetting, so no emissions or chemicals needed for upkeep. We eliminate contamination from bunker wall erosion, reducing the need for replacement sand which brings its own environmental impact, and this is all before you consider the negative impact of turf farming.”

The report measured the use of fertilisers, pesticides, weed-killers and disease-controlling chemicals[1] in the production of farmed turf. One Hectare typically (depending on geography, soil and climate) requires 89kg Nitrogen, 12kg Phosphorous, 40kg Potassium[2] and 92kg Lime[3]. This often washes off into nearby water courses contributing to “algal blooms” and a reduction in marine bio-diversity.

The report goes on to show that intensive farming of turf removes the nutritional layer of topsoil and the soil organisms (fungi, earthworms, bacteria) leaving it largely barren. Repeated use of the land this way necessitates intensive artificial fertilising.

The various advantages of EcoBunker synthetic revetting detailed in the report align with the most recent advice from golf’s governing bodies and environmental experts. Golf Wales, England Golf and the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf all highlight recycling, reducing waste and reducing the use of chemicals as key targets to help bring down emissions[4].

“Turf farming does provide a vital resource to the landscaping industry, and not all natural revetted turf is intensively farmed. Where large areas of turf coverage is needed there are some superb examples of turf suppliers using sustainable practices, and quickly solving urgent landscaping challenges,” added Richard. “But with thick cut revetting turf, the evidence is clear. Not only do EcoBunkers use 100% recycled materials, the ongoing maintenance burden with the associated cost and resources, are slashed. Finally, all but the top layer of naturally turfed revetted bunkers just don’t have enough access to light and soil to maintain a root structure. So, they gradually disintegrate and, on average, have to be replaced every 5 years. The evidence for the sustainability of one EcoBunker is convincing. When you have to re-build a natural turf bunker four times in our minimum guaranteed 20 year lifespan, it really is overwhelming.”

The sustainability credentials of EcoBunker were recently highlighted when the company completed a project at Royal Ostend Golf Club. With stringent environmental regulations in place designed to protect the natural environment in coastal areas, EcoBunker was chosen as the most sustainable solution, preferred to natural revetting and surpassing all standards for use of new resources and harmful chemicals.

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

[1] Cornell University Turfgrass Program, study on cool climate turf management practices, https://turf.cals.cornell.edu/environment/
[2] Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from turf management of two Swedish golf courses, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.11.009
[3] https://www.horticulture.com.au/globalassets/hort-innovation/resource-assets/tu16000-lifecycle-assessment—goal-and-scope.pdf
[4] https://www.walesgolf.org/sustainability, https://www.englandgolf.org/sustainability, https://sustainable.golf/developments/

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Kings Lynn GC completes phase 3 of EcoBunker Project

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Kings Lynn GC completes phase 3 of EcoBunker Project: Faced with the challenges of sandy soil and bunker erosion, Kings Lynn golf club has employed synthetic bunker experts EcoBunker to meet their ongoing maintenance challenges. Now in the third phase of a 40 bunker renovation project, the team and members at Kings Lynn are already enjoying the benefits that the EcoBunker system brings to their course.

“We’re a sandy course which can cause real structural problems with the bunkers,” said Michael Fahy, Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Kings Lynn. “Our bunker walls erode very easily, and we have had several occasions where they’ve collapsed completely. With EcoBunker we are getting that strength and integrity along with a sharp looking finish. The members love the looks and the playability, and the team love how easy they are to maintain.”

Kings Lynn GC completes phase 3 of EcoBunker Project

Kings Lynn GC completes phase 3 of EcoBunker Project

With a mix of high wall and low edged bunkers, and several significant height transitions leading into greens, the bunkering at Kings Lynn poses a variety of maintenance challenges. But whatever the type of bunker – all of which EcoBunker offer ultra-low maintenance solutions – the local surroundings pose consistent challenges across the course.

“We have a real problem with soil erosion and rabbit scraping and burrowing, which quickly contaminates the bunker sand,” continued Michael. “To counter this, we have fitted EcoTec bunker liners alongside the synthetic walls to create a fully closed system. This requires virtually no maintenance and eliminates all contamination. Previously we could spend half a day picking out stones, weeding walls and topping up sand on a single bunker, but now we simply brush the faces, knock the sand off and strim the top edge. We’re saving time and budget with every bunker we replace.”

Now in the third phase of renovations, all Par 3’s have been completed and the team is moving on to those bunkers next most in need of attention. Having been trained by EcoBunker during the first installation, Michael and his colleagues, Tim Race and Mason Bernstein, use the EcoBunker system to renovate the bunkers themselves and plan the schedule of work accordingly.

“We re-build a few bunkers each winter, knowing that by the time we get to the last phase, the first EcoBunkers we built will still have many years life left in them, even though it could be a 10 year project. The club are investing for the long term which makes so much more sense than the continual rebuilding and patching of the traditional bunkering on the course.”

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

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EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

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EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research: Industry leading innovator of synthetic bunker wall technology, EcoBunker, will highlight the findings of two major research projects on stand 246 at BTME in Harrogate, from 21st January.

EcoBunker will showcase the full results of the Great British Bunker Study, a project produced with the support of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA). The study identifies significant opportunities for golf clubs to reduce bunker maintenance costs while increasing golfer satisfaction, two topics at the top of every club agenda.

EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

EcoBunker Highlights Thought Provoking New Research

Alongside the bunker study, EcoBunker will present new research by the Welsh government that reveals surprising insights into sustainability and bunker construction. With thought provoking results on show the EcoBunker stand should provide hot topics of discussion for anyone with an interest in turf management or sustainable practices in golf.

“We’re really excited for BTME,” said Richard Allen, inventor of synthetic bunker technology. “It’s always a fantastic experience to share and learn amongst such an informed group of people at the show. And this year we have some fascinating data that will provoke conversation and progress the understanding of sustainability and best practices in golf. Anyone who wants to find out more should visit us at stand 246”

In addition to the two research projects, the EcoBunker stand will highlight work at Royal Ostend Golf Club that shows how EcoBunker met the challenge of some of the most stringent environmental standards in Europe. The team will also showcase some of its installations of EcoTec bunker liners and their positive impact during recent turbulent weather events.

For more information, visit EcoBunker at stand 246 at BTME or visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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EcoBunker Celebrating 10 Years in Business

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EcoBunker Celebrating 10 Years in Business: As 2024 draws to a close, EcoBunker Ltd the industry leading innovator of synthetic bunker wall technology is celebrating its 10th year in business supporting the rapidly evolving golf industry.

Starting out in 2014 with an injection of funding and the creation of a reliable supply chain, founder Richard Allen was able to grow the invention he had made five years earlier into the sustainable business he knew it could be. EcoBunker has since grown into a hugely successful international business that has engaged in many hundreds of projects covering every major golfing territory.

EcoBunker Celebrating 10 Years in Business

EcoBunker Celebrating 10 Years in Business

“It’s been an incredible 10 years, and I’d like to thank all of the courses, designers and golf industry professionals without whom we wouldn’t have become the business we are,” commented EcoBunker founder, Richard Allen. “Challenging the way things have always been done is a hugely difficult task, so I will always be grateful to everyone that placed their faith in us and what we were trying to achieve.”

Key milestones in the past 10 years have included the development of EcoBunker Advanced, a cement modified backfill technology that cut the shipping weight of EcoBunker in half, enabling the growth of the international business; the design of two further technologies – EcoTec bunker liners and AquaEdge synthetic water edging; and most recently, the investment in EcoBunker’s own production facility, that gives more control over R&D and product testing, a process that has already produced the next generation of EcoBunker Advanced that should be ready for mass production before the end of the year.

“When I invented synthetic bunker edging technology, I knew that it could change the game,” concludes Richard. “We can slash maintenance costs, quadruple the lifespan of revetted bunkers and provide visually stunning additions to golf courses that keep on delivering a fantastic experience for golfers year after year. I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved in the past ten years and I can’t wait to see where the next ten take us.”

With the launch of the next generation of EcoBunker Advanced technology set to reduce installation costs and increase the strength of bunker walls, the next chapter for EcoBunker is already taking shape. And with the following generation of products already well into the R&D phase, the future for EcoBunker is very bright.

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

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EcoBunker take on Icelandic challenge

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EcoBunker take on Icelandic challenge: Keilir Golf Club in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland has just completed the second phase of its bunker replacement project with industry leading synthetic faced bunker specialists, EcoBunker.

Faced with year round weather challenges and very harsh winters, the team at Keilir have been spending a disproportionate amount of their budget on maintaining the quality of their naturally revetted bunkers. Having received very positive feedback on EcoBunker’s work at Royal St. Georges, among other projects, Keilir invited the team to address the unique challenges of an Icelandic golf course.

EcoBunker take on Icelandic challenge

EcoBunker take on Icelandic challenge

“Maintaining the quality of traditionally revetted bunkers is such a time-consuming job,” commented Guðbjartur Ísak Ásgeirsson, Head Greenkeeper at Keilir Golf Club. “We face harsh conditions here in Iceland, and the work to keep the bunkers in good condition is difficult enough. When you add in the need for a re-build every 5 years, they eat up the maintenance budget in a way that just isn’t sustainable.”

“Keilir is such an incredible setting. The front 9 weaves a path through lava flow and the back 9 follows a small peninsular with views of a local glacier,” adds EcoBunker founder Richard Allen. “The major appeal of Keilir is the rugged landscape so I’m delighted with how our EcoBunkers have provided solutions to the maintenance challenges the team faced, while blending perfectly with the natural terrain. This has been a fantastic project for us and I look forward to the next phases.”

Phase one of the project took place this Spring with the creation of two new bunkers. Following very positive feedback from the members and maintenance team at Keilir, a further four bunkers have been installed this Autumn, with more planned for Spring 2025.

“It has actually been quicker to construct an EcoBunker that will last over 20 years than to naturally revett our bunkers. We’re delighted with the results and look forward to putting the new bunkers into play when we next open the course. I certainly look forward to a maintenance free season for our six new EcoBunkers!” concluded Guðbjartur.

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

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