Ganton, the county’s highest ranked course in the latest National Club Golfer Top 100s England list, has further enhanced the challenge and aesthetics of the historic course with a busy programme of winter work.
In recent months, the greenkeeping team – led by course manager Simon Olver – has delivered several major projects. The largest construction projects this winter have been three new tee boxes – with the biggest on the 14th hole – with the space now twice the size and a new championship tee adding 10 yards. A sand waste area in front of the tee has also been created where material was taken for the construction. The third and 18th tees have also been expanded.
“It’s been a busy winter and I’m delighted with the work we’ve done,” said Simon. “I’m proud that the irrigation has been delivered in-house for these. Not only has this saved us more than 50% of the potential cost, it has also continued the team’s professional development having undergone training earlier this year.”
Meanwhile, several sections of gravel pathway have been replaced with irrigated turf walkways to improve visual appeal and the flow from green to tee.
The team has also constructed tee boxes for a new measured green tee layout for juniors, beginners and older golfers.
Extensive work has also been carried out on the bunkering around the course. Working with JW Naphthine Contracting, over four days the team installed 365 sleepers around the perimeter of the vast fairway bunker on the 16th hole. A metre of sand – some 700 tonnes – was also added to the bunker to improve its presentation and enhance the playability of the hole.
“While less penal than before, it is still a terrifying feature,” added Simon.
Revetted bunker faces have also been rebuilt in key locations around the course as part of an ongoing programme which will preserve the revetting of greenside traps while the team works to increase the number of natural bunker shapes in the fairways.
