Bunker redesign and tee renovation at WinstonOpen

The course is attracting a lot of play from guests and members and his well known for good playability and to be a fair test of golf. The 18 Hole Golf Course has been designed by Holger Rengstorf of Rengstorf Golf Design in 2001.

However almost twenty years after the opening it was about time for some enhancements and renovations. After a thoughtful planning and discussion process with Owner, Management and Course Super Intendent Jordan Tschimperle work started at the beginning of October 2020 with renovation work on bunkers and some tees. The bunker renovation work will be carried out by EIGCA Bronze Partner Profusion Environment from the UK with intense support by Jordan Tschimperle and his team of Winstongolf.

Intentions and Reasons for the Redesign are various:

Reducing the number and sizes of Bunkers, reducing labour costs for bunker maintenance, increasing visibility of hazards to a modern playing standard and most important create memorable moments of fun and success for all members and guests while playing the course are among the most notable. With the bunker redesign the actual number and size of bunkers will be reduced up to 40% of the former overall size, but due to the increased visibility of all new hazards the impression for players will just be the opposite.

The bunker renovation at Winstongolf is being well executed by Profusion Environmental, UK. With the profound knowledge of Nigel Wyatt and his superb team from Profusion Environment, the reshaping process, installation of drainage and a drainable layer made from recycled tires is making excellent progress and meets all expectations.

The returfing of construction areas has been started right after fine shaping, using local turf and fescue turf brought in from the UK.

About one third of all Bunkeredges will be created by using fescue chunks from the site. This chunking process will ensure a mature and native feel, will be very visible for all approaching golfers and reduces bunker maintenance in the future.

All other edges are being constructed with a revetted edge of fescue turf. Those edges are built to protect the bunker sand from contamination, maintain a clear and easy access for Golfers entering the bunker and reduce the maintenance of bunker edges.

Alongside with the renovation work some tees of the course will be relocated and increased in size to better stand the wear and tear of play.

The irrigation of the course will be adapted to the new bunker concept as well. Just in as less water as possible but as much as necessary to keep the turf healthy and bunker edges green is one aspect. Another its long lasting and easy to maintain edges and most important, keep a good moisture within the sand.

The selection of Bunkersand and maintaining the right moisture within this sand will be of great importance for the future and has a vast impact and influence on playability, playing conditions, speed of play and fairness to all levels of golfers.

All Pictures courtesy of Jordan Tschimperle and Rengstorf Golf Design.

Click here to read more about Holger.