Ramside Estates Ltd has invested £200,000 in a new excavator and “miracle concrete” to renovate 40 bunkers on its Prince Bishops Course.
The Jonathan Gaunt-designed championship course has more than 80 bunkers and the restoration work will focus on upgrading 40 of them by installing new technologies to improve drainage and protect against the effects of flooding and adverse weather.
Roger Shaw, courses manager at Ramside Estates Ltd, said: “After 20 years of play, the drainage systems in the Prince Bishops’ bunkers have begun to struggle and need renovating. This is going to be the biggest bunker renovation project I’ve undertaken in over 30 years of greenkeeping and promises to deliver exceptional improvements in the way our bunkers play and handle wet weather.”
Ramside is also investing in Capillary Concrete, a Swedish product which allows moisture to drain through it, to upgrade drainage and prevent wash-outs in bad weather.
The bunker renovations are the latest phase in a multi-million pound programme of investment that has seen Ramside build a second 18-hole championship course, an all-weather synthetic short game practice facility, a second practice putting green and a new storage shelter for 36 ClubCar golf buggies.
Helen Roseberry, director of golf at Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Cub, said: “Today’s golf market is increasingly competitive and golf course owners have to look at ways to improve their facilities, and deliver an outstanding experience for members and visitors.
“It was clear to us that the bunkers on the Prince Bishops Course needed new technology to withstand the weather and match the quality course conditions golfers enjoy when they tee up at Ramside.”