Kings Norton Golf Club completes construction of 33 bunkers

By Alistair July 14, 2020 06:47 Updated

Kings Norton Golf Club, one of The Midlands’ premier courses, recently completed the construction of 33 bunkers on the ’Red 9’, following 25 bunkers being rebuilt on ‘The Blue 9’ though 2018/19. Working with Durabunker, the greenkeeping team led by Neill Smith and deputy Nick Bird have had a busy few winters.

Neill Smith said: “It’s been a great project to get our teeth into, the team has learnt a huge amount from the experience. Working with Durabunker has also been a real benefit to us. The design ideas they’ve brought to the project have been really valuable and certainly resulted in improved aesthetics as well as low maintenance, greenkeeper friendly bunkers.”

The club chose a combination of Rubber Crumb Liner and Synthetic Bunker Edging for the project, producing what Durabunker call ‘The Fully Sealed Bunker System’.

“The combination of products has yielded fantastic results. We have pretty much eradicated washouts, the sand is staying really clean and playing so much more consistently. Our maintenance time has dramatically reduced over the past couple of years and having Rhydian advise us at various stages in relation to design has also led to improved results.”

Durabunker director, Rhydian Lewis, commented: “The fully sealed bunker system, combining a high performance liner with a synthetic bunker edge, is increasingly being recognised as the most sustainable method of bunker construction currently available. The variety of liners we offer including Rubber Crumb, Better Billy Bunker and Fabric Liners, allows us to objectively advise in this regard and consider the unique challenges each course presents. Our synthetic bunker edge works equally well with any liner so presents a far more straight forward choice. Neill’s team and Kings Norton GC have made a significant investment, they are already benefitting greatly, I’m sure will continue to do so for many years to come.”