SPORTS PITCHES
“ As a result of the work done and the use of specialist equipment to follow the requirements of NRW , the Golf Club was nominated as one of the four finalists in the STRI Environment awards 2020 . “ The drainage conducted at that time led to significantly fewer days when the course was closed after heavy rain . The way in which the project has progressed has , we believe , led to constructive discussion with NRW on other aspects of conservation in the area of land owned by the Club .
DESIGN : CONSTRUCTION : RENOVATION
“ Subsequently , Duncan has been employed on an annual basis to clear reeds and other vegetation from the ditches which impede the flow of water off the course and to complete a phased replacement of blocked or collapsed field drains under the fairways . There has not been any further requirement to excavate spoil from the base of ditches , leaving the roots of the plantain intact and not disturbing the pupae of insects such as dragonflies and damselflies . “ Aberdovey GC has been very impressed with the work carried out by Duncan and his team and looks forward to employing him again .”
The course , which is flanked by Cardigan Bay and a long sandy foreshore incorporating a semi-mobile dune system , is highly valued as a rich source of ecology and biodiversity and is classed as a site of special scientific interest and also serves as a special area of conservation . As such , the club works with the STRI , Natural Resources Wales ( NRW ), Gwynedd County Council , Snowdonia National Park Authority and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust .
The ditch system in the centre and northern end of the course supports a population of lesser water plantain , which used to be scattered throughout the country but is now mainly found in coastal regions and the East Anglian fens .
GPS Guided Piped Drainage Systems : Pitch Construction Bulk Earthworks : Mara 5mtr GPS Grader / Leveler Sand Slitting : GKB Top-Drain : Koro Surfacing Vertidraining Topdressing : Overseeding : Koro Scarify Fertilising : Weed Control : Landscaping
t 01257 255321 e office @ duncanrossltd . co . uk www . duncanrossltd . co . uk SPECIALIST SPORTSTURF CONTRACTOR
To achieve the water run off objectives while maintaining conservation , the base of the main ditch was increased in depth across half its width , with levelling techniques maintaining a steady fall of 750mm over a 3km length .
Disruption to the fairway was reduced by leaving the old clay pies in place , and putting new pipes in parallel at the new , lower water level . A sluice was installed near the main outfall to hold back at least 50mm of water in the ditch system while allowing the run-off of stormwater .
A requirement from NRW was the excavation of wetland scrapes in low lying areas near the 11th green , which were constructed and provide an additional area for the plantain to colonise .
Aberdovey continues to focus on environmental projects , working closely with Duncan ross and the NRW relating to the management of the site , including monitoring coastal erosion , protecting the wetland areas from seawater ingress , creating further wetland scrapes and sand scrape areas , monitoring the population of sand lizards , management of rank grass areas to improve grazing for sheep and management of areas of degenerate gorse .
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GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | May / June 2024 47