Promoting the Value of Good Design

The company culture demands an understanding and appreciation of the value that good design can bring to any project, and in particular golf course construction.

‘Its often said, much to the frustration of highly qualified greenkeeping staff, that every golf course has hundreds of greenkeeping experts’ said Richard, ‘It’s a similar thing with golf course architecture. As a consequence, persuading golf clubs and their committees of the value that great design can deliver is often a challenge. When I worked in a design procurement role I saw first hand the cost savings, safety benefits and aesthetic qualities afforded by excellent design, but unless you’ve worked in that environment the tendency is to view design as an inconvenient cost rather than an opportunity and a fantastic insurance policy’.

Fortunately, EcoBunker Ltd is now having success in influencing golf clubs to invest in great design. Tendering for a full course bunker renovation at the ‘Home of Stableford’, The Glamorganshire GC, their bid proposal included EIGCA member James Edwards as part of the delivery team. James was already known by EcoBunker Ltd, and was then recommended by Jonathan Gaunt, who designed the original masterplan for the Club. The delivery team, with EcoBunker Ltd as lead contractor, with James as Design Consultant and Shapewright as the Earthworks sub contractor won the contract, which is now nearing completion.

The committee and members at the club are delighted by the work that they have seen so far and it has been said on many occasions by officials that the decision to back a team with a strong design capability was certainly the correct one. ‘One of the most exciting things about being a bronze partner of EIGCA is the opportunity to meet and forge relationships with leading design professionals. We hope to deliver many more projects like the Glamorganshire, with members of EIGCA in our design team’ said Richard.

For more information on EcoBunker Ltd visit: www.ecobunker.co.uk