Major storms couldn’t prevent Durabunker build at Chippenham GC

By Alistair March 24, 2022 10:16

Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin all contrived to make a recent bunker renovation at Chippenham Golf Club one of the more challenging projects Durabunker has undertaken in recent times. The Phase 1 project was designed to be a template for further work later this year, with Durabunker being responsible for the design and build of bunkers on a green complex on the 17th hole, using its rubber crumb liner, DuraCrumb and its patented synthetic bunker edging.

Rhydian Lewis, founder of Durabunker, commented: “Course manager, Chris Sealey, chose the 17th as the starting point of the project, due to ease of access, anticipating that conditions may be challenging at this time of year. It was a very wise decision, but I don’t think even Chris imagined such brutal storms would strike during the first week of the project.”

Despite this, the team at Durabunker were able to complete the project in good time and renovate a number of bunkers that have received high praise from the golf club.

Former chairman of BIGGA, Chris Sealey, added: “We had seen the combination of rubber crumb liner and Durabunker synthetic edge at Long Ashton GC and were very impressed with both the aesthetics and the functionality of the bunkers there. The idea of a completely sealed system made a lot of sense to us and after Rhydian attended a members’ forum, the club decided to push on with this first phase of works. Unfortunately we had nearly 20mm of rain the day before Durabunker arrived on site and, with the subsequent storms, the conditions became very challenging. However the Durabunker lads were able to somehow complete the works and build some lovely looking bunkers. We are very much looking forward to having our members play out of them in due course and hope that they don’t suffer the same playing conditions as those suffered whilst building them!”