Cold Ashby Golf Club renovates its bunkers to budget

By Alistair August 20, 2020 07:42 Updated

Like many golf clubs in recent years, Cold Ashby in Northamptonshire has been battling to survive, but this is a success story.

Following a major re-structure, the members now have control, and the financial situation has been improving under prudent management, with a further Covid-19 boost as witnessed by many other courses. As a result, in a relatively short timespan the club has moved to a position where it can invest for the future by introducing new machinery. Another bold decision was taken to improve the golf course bunkers, after surveys suggested that this was an area where the members saw potential for the greatest improvement. As a result, EcoBunker was invited to help.

After a highly successful trial bunker, course manager Jim Burberry examined the feasibility of renovating all the bunkers on the course.

“It was a slightly different approach than normal for us,” said EcoBunker CEO, Richard Allen.

“Normally we are given a scope of works and provide the best price that we can. In this instance we were given a budget then asked to propose the best possible scheme within that budget.

“This has been an enjoyable challenge and my background in civil engineering, where I regularly reviewed designs and undertook value engineering came in very handy.”

EcoBunker’s overall philosophy was to concentrate high quality work on essential bunkers, and abandon non-essential bunkers taking guidance from local architect Roger Griffiths.

The liner used was EcoBunker’s Ecosward (which is gaining a strong reputation for value for money) and other economies were made via an innovative bunker edge system tried and tested on the south coast at Skylark and Dudsbury golf clubs.

Finally, the opportunity to work in the summer months was a huge bonus. Good weather obviously improves efficiency (and reduces damage) and the longer daylight hours means that more can be done in a shorter number of days. “All these factors meant that we could deliver within budget, and I’m delighted the club has committed,” added Allen. The project which features 23 bunkers started in late July and was completed in mid August.