Tag Archive for: golf

Hayling Golf Club Practice Area Survives Rare Tidal Event

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Hayling Golf Club Practice Area Survives Rare Tidal Event: Just two weeks after the installation of a high walled, revetted practice bunker by synthetic bunker experts EcoBunker, renowned south coast links course Hayling Golf Club suffered an unprecedented tidal event that put their investment at immediate risk.

“Water resources are very limited on Hayling Island and we don’t have any irrigation on the practice ground,” explained Graeme Roberts, course manager at Hayling Golf Club. “That made EcoBunker the obvious choice for our practice bunker as it would maintain its visual appeal and playability with very limited maintenance.”

Hayling Golf Club Practice Area Survives Rare Tidal Event

Hayling Golf Club Practice Area Survives Rare Tidal Event

However, in early December, just two weeks after the practice bunker was completed, Hayling experienced spring tides and off-shore winds that led to the highest sea levels seen in many years. The unprecedented tides pushed 20 to 30 tonnes of shingle against, and through, the boundary fence, creating a slipway for sea water to run straight into the practice area.

“Over two consecutive nights the teeing and bunker practice area was completely underwater. Sediment was spread across the whole area and our new practice bunker filled up with sea water. By the time the tide had receded on the second morning, we had significant damage across the area from the sea water, including damage to the new turf that had been laid around the bunker,” continued Graeme.

“Remarkably, despite such a significant event, the only evidence that sea water had been in the bunker was the silt deposited on the liner and a sediment line where the water had reached. With a quick brush of the face and a clean of the liner, the bunker was as good as the day it went in.”

EcoBunker CEO and inventor of synthetic bunker technology, Richard Allen commented, “We have lots of evidence from our Floridian customers that EcoBunkers have stood the test of hurricanes, storms and weather events. But I’m not sure we’ve ever heard of a bunker being completely under water for two nights! This was a huge challenge for Graeme and his team, so I’m delighted that our EcoBunker technology withstood the test and was one less thing for Graeme and his team to worry about.”

Less than two weeks after the tidal event, with a quick refresh of their EcoBunker and a significant clear up of the practice area, Graeme and his team are making great progress towards providing members and visitors with the practice experience that they have invested in.

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

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MM Seed to Showcase Leading Golf Mixtures at BTME

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MM Seed to Showcase Leading Golf Mixtures at BTME: MM Seed will be returning to BTME from 20-22 January, welcoming visitors to Stand 124 to explore some of the industry’s most trusted grass seed mixtures for golf courses. Throughout the event, their knowledgeable team will be available to offer tailored advice on renovation, overseeding and choosing the right mixture for every course environment.

Fairway Focus: MM22, MM50 & MM13

Among the products on show will be MM22, a dependable option for divotting, repairing and renovating tees, fairways and outfield areas that take on significant wear. Its rapid establishment, strong recovery and impressive sward density make it ideal for clubs that need a mixture they can rely on throughout the season.

MM Seed to Showcase Leading Golf Mixtures at BTME

MM Seed to Showcase Leading Golf Mixtures at BTME

Visitors will also be able to learn more about the hugely popular MM50, a fast-establishing ryegrass blend that delivers consistent year-round performance. Known for its resilience and fine leaf characteristics, MM50 produces a dense, clean-cut sward that stands up well to close mowing and heavy traffic, while also offering high levels of disease resistance.

For those managing lower-input sites, MM13 provides a traditional, high-quality option for overseeding and renovating tees, fairways and roughs. With excellent drought tolerance, strong recovery and good disease resistance, MM13 is well suited for areas where reliability and ease of management are essential. Its ability to maintain colour and performance through winter further adds to its appeal.

Greens Mixtures: MM8 & MM9

For greens, MM Seed will be showcasing MM8, a 100% fine fescue blend ideal for links and heathland-style environments. Featuring top-rated cultivars such as Sybille, MM8 delivers a fine, dense sward with exceptional drought tolerance, low nutrient requirements and enhanced disease resistance. It supports sustainable maintenance practices and is particularly effective for spring and summer overseeding.

Also highlighted will be MM9, a premium browntop bent mixture designed for summer overseeding, autumn renovation and new green constructions. Renowned for producing a fine, dense and smooth putting surface, MM9 offers excellent year-round colour, strong disease resistance and impressive tolerance to close mowing, making it a trusted choice for high-performance greens.

Visit MM Seed at Stand 124

Whether you’re planning a renovation programme or seeking guidance on improving turf quality across your course, the MM Seed team will be on hand throughout BTME to discuss the best solutions for your course.

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on X: @MM_Seed.

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Bernhard and Company Partners with Laguna Golf Phuket

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Bernhard and Company Partners with Laguna Golf Phuket: Bernhard and Company, the leader in fine turf maintenance solutions, has completed a major machinery installation at Laguna Golf Phuket, one of Asia’s most prestigious golf destinations and the recent Asian Tour host venue. 

This installation, carried out in collaboration with Bernhard’s regional distributor, Sports Turf Solutions, represents a significant advancement in Laguna Golf Phuket’s long-term strategy to enhance course conditioning to world-class standards.

Bernhard and Company Partners with Laguna Golf Phuket

Bernhard and Company Partners with Laguna Golf Phuket

Laguna Golf Phuket has invested in Bernhard’s industry-leading Express Dual and Anglemaster grinding systems as part of a renewed agronomy vision under the direction of Jhomer Darlito Q. Patalot Jr, Director of Agronomy. This initiative aims to improve the performance, reliability, and longevity of the equipment fleet while also aligning with the broader sustainability commitments of Laguna Golf Phuket.

Jhomer Lito Patalot Jr. and his team are responsible for maintaining Laguna Golf Phuket, which involves approximately 15 cutting units. As part of the installation, Bernhard and Company provided hands-on training to 12 members of the greenkeeping and mechanics team. This training was led by Mirai Takahashi Business Development Manager for Japan. “Laguna Golf Phuket was seeking a long-term solution to extend the life of their cutting blades and equipment while improving the overall health and performance of the turf,” stated Wilson. “With our Express Dual 4100 and Anglemaster 4100 now installed, along with a dedicated team trained to maximise the benefits of this technology, Laguna Golf Phuket is well-positioned to provide exceptional playing conditions consistently.”

The installation process included training for mechanics Jakree Srikanha, Prasit Pintu, Seksan Suwan, and Sanya Samkamlue, ensuring the on-site team can maintain precision sharpening standards year-round.

Laguna Golf Phuket, renowned for hosting prestigious regional and international golf events, has announced its decision to invest in Bernhard machinery. This move aligns with their goal of being at the forefront of golf tourism in Asia and ensuring tournament-ready course conditions.

Paul Wilson, the Managing Director of Laguna Phuket, stated: “The new Bernhard machinery reinforces our commitment to providing world-class playing surfaces and maintaining consistent quality throughout the year. Additionally, the advanced technologies enhance the efficiency and capability of our greenkeeping team, leading to improved turf health, reliability, and overall course presentation. The equipment also supports our sustainability goals by promoting energy and resource efficiency, while extending the lifespan of our machines.”

Wilson further emphasised that “Bernhard and Company’s proven reliability, technical expertise, exceptional customer service, and established global track record of working with Top 100 venues make them the ideal long-term partner for maintaining elite playing conditions.”

As one of Asia’s most recognised golf destinations, hosting high-profile tournaments and attracting golfers worldwide, Laguna Golf Phuket’s investment is a strong endorsement of Bernhard’s esteemed reputation in top-level course management.

To find out more about Bernhard and Company’s range of Express Dual reel grinding machines, head to: https://bernhard.co.uk/reel-grinders/

To find out more about Bernhard and Company’s range of Anglemaster bedknife grinding machines, head to: https://bernhard.co.uk/bedknife-grinders/

To learn more about Laguna Phuket, visit: https://www.lagunagolfphuket.com/

To learn more about Sports Turf Solutions, head to: https://sportsturfsolutions.com/

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Syngenta Showcases Sustainable Golf at Top French Destination

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Syngenta Showcases Sustainable Golf at Top French Destination: Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort in France is the latest destination to feature in Syngenta Golf’s YouTube course walk series on golf and environmental stewardship.

The award-winning 36-hole resort in Provence – one of only three golf venues in France to receive the Gold Certificate for Biodiversity from the French Golf Federation and the National Museum of Natural History – has embedded sustainability into its vision and business planning since opening 20 years ago.

Syngenta Showcases Sustainable Golf at Top French Destination

Syngenta Showcases Sustainable Golf at Top French Destination

Now, in a new episode of The Green Report, Syngenta Golf’s flagship docuseries on sustainable course management, Terre Blanche demonstrates how its long-term sustainability philosophy is delivering measurable environmental benefits across the resort, including:

  • Transforming out-of-play areas into thriving ecosystems rich in native plant and wildlife species
  • Using 100% non-potable water for irrigation, ensuring responsible resource management across the estate
  • Empowering staff to become active ambassadors for environmental sustainability.

Among the interviewees are President Marc Delauné, Course Manager Philippe Burgeat, and HR Director Anca Gherman, who each explain how Terre Blanche’s holistic approach – integrating land, water and people – is helping to inspire guests and benefit the local community.

Marc Delauné, President of Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort said: “Our commitment from the outset has been to manage this property responsibly. We have seen firsthand that golf courses not only protect fauna and flora, but often play a vital role in improving them.”

Mark Birchmore, Global Head of Marketing, Turf & Landscape for Syngenta, said: “Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort is a leading example of how environmental sustainability can sit at the very heart of a golf business. From the beginning, the business has shown how a long-term vision and genuine commitment deliver benefits for people, planet and profit.

“We hope this latest episode of The Green Report will inform and inspire other golf courses to share their own sustainability journeys.”

The new episode will be released at 9AM ET / 3PM CET today, and will be free-to-watch for all golf industry professionals and stakeholders on YouTube.

To watch all episodes of The Green Report and for more news, features, videos and case studies on sustainable golf, as well as links to the Changing the Business of Golf podcast, visit Syngenta Golf.

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Parkstone Golf Club transforms winter playability

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Parkstone Golf Club transforms winter playability: Renowned as one of the finest courses on the South Coast, Parkstone in Dorset is proudly ranked in the Top 100 golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland.

Upholding their championship-level playing conditions year round isn’t always easy, particularly during increasingly heavy and prolonged periods of rainfall, but it is a challenge relished by Course Manager Grant Peters and his team of 9. He explains how the club’s winter playability has taken a major leap forwards thanks to the installation of Hydrowick drainage by Djuke.

Parkstone Golf Club transforms winter playability

Parkstone Golf Club transforms winter playability

Passionate about course quality, Grant has been at the club for the last nine years and, over that time, identified that persistent waterlogging on some problematic greens – and increasingly on the fairways – was impacting rounds. Seeking an innovative, non-invasive solution, Grant spoke to contractors Djuke about the Hydrowick drainage system and the rest, as they say, is history!

“We had a very tentative trial of the system on the back half of one of our worst performing greens and the impact was immediate and dramatic” he explains. “The transformation in water movement was so good we immediately pushed the button to have Hydrowick installed on all of our problem greens. Since then, we’ve had nine greens done – turning what were some of the wettest areas of the course into the driest.”

He emphasises, “We can see an inch of rainfall and, within a couple of hours, these greens are playable where, previously, they’d have been closed for half a day or longer.”

Encouraged by the results on the greens, Grant is delighted to have now rolled Hydrowick onto Parkstone’s fairways. “We had no concerns whatsoever that the system would perform equally as well here and, lo and behold, shortly after the installation at the start of November we saw 60mm of rainfall and the fairway remained playable.”

Hydrowick is one of the most efficient and effective drainage systems on the market, utilising a patented rope system to ‘wick’ away excess moisture. Laid at 2m centres, the installation process is also far less invasive than most other systems – maximising results and returning surfaces to play within 24 hours. Generating very little spoil was one of the key advantages for Grant, with Parkstone designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest meaning the club is highly constrained on where and how it can move and store soil.

The club now plans to extend the Hydrowick programme to a further three or four fairways, with installations proposed for late 2026 into early 2027. “Cameron and the whole team at Djuke are an absolute pleasure to work with. Everything from initial quotation through to installation was quick, polite, tidy and professional and the end result ticks every box for us” he concludes.

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