EcoBunker Overcome Environmental Obstacles in Ostend
Conceived by King Leopold II at the end of the 19th century, Royal Ostend Golf Club in Belgium is steeped in the traditions of the game. So when it began a programme to return the course to its traditional links roots, under the watchful eye of Belgian environmental authorities, the team brought in bunker experts EcoBunker to help meet the challenge.
“We’re going through a programme returning Royal Ostend to a traditional links course, but that poses some serious challenges,” commented Iain Wakeman, Head Greenkeeper at Royal Ostend G.C. “The Belgian government introduced an ecology programme to its coastal areas in 2019 that covers the use of fertilisers and pesticides, the consumption of resources and a host of measures to preserve the natural environment. The resources needed to build traditionally revetted bunkers wouldn’t fit with the ecology programme, and that’s before considering the cost of materials and the ongoing maintenance needs.”
Having previously worked with EcoBunker on a 30 bunker project in Ireland, Iain understood the long term environmental and cost benefits of introducing synthetic bunker technology. Royal Ostend had previously started a programme of work with EcoBunker, so when Iain arrived he invited the team to progress plans to re-build the course bunkers in a manner that fitted with the area’s ecological needs.
“People do ask what is ‘Eco’ about synthetic turf, without realising the resources we save when we use synthetic turf technology,” said Richard Allen, inventor of EcoBunker’s synthetic turf technology. “All of our EcoBunker tiles are sourced from recycled astro pitches, and when we install them, they are guaranteed to last over 20 years. Over that period we are saving on a minimum of 4 bunker re-builds with all the turf and resources that takes, plus the water, pesticides and man hours that go in to maintaining traditionally revetted bunkers. You build an EcoBunker once and it is essentially maintenance free.”
“It takes a lot to be judged as environmentally acceptable in this part of Belgium, but EcoBunker passed the test with flying colours,” added Iain. “Royal Ostend is a fantastic club with very high standards so it’s important that we have professional people on site who understand golf and can work with the natural environment. The team from EcoBunker were incredibly professional, not only in their approach to the work, but also in understanding how the bunkers flow with the land and making small changes to the shaping where it was needed. We’ve had 14 bunkers completed and I look forward to having the team back as we head towards our goal of a traditional links and a full complement of beautifully revetted bunkers.”
For more information on how EcoBunker can help reduce the environmental impact of your course while reducing maintenance costs, visit www.ecobunker.co.uk
New Sales Manager for Reesink E-Vehicles
Darren Clewes is the new sales manager for Reesink e-Vehicles.
As the only distributor in the sector with a division entirely dedicated to only sustainably powered vehicles, it needed an experienced manager to take it forward and ensure its growth, which is where Darren comes in.
With a focus on electric and sustainable transport options, the e-Vehicles division of distributor Reesink UK, is home to innovative, award-winning, rapid-charge lithium-ion phosphate battery-powered passenger buggies and utility vehicles.
The environmentally friendly fleet management journey is one nearly all turfcare customers are on in some shape or form, with buggies certainly at the forefront for golf clubs and leisure venues.
Darren brings 25 years of turfcare experience to the role and is a familiar face in golf. “When I realised I wasn’t going to make it as a golf pro, I delved deeper into alternative career options in the sector and I was amazed by the size and extent of it,” he says. “The opportunities, possibilities and options hooked me in.”
Specialising in sales early on, he says he’s visited “all golf clubs in the North of England” in his roles with Tacit Turf Equipment, Collier Turfcare and Allett Mowers, and it was his role with Eco Bunker that gave him his first experience of innovative and sustainable turfcare solutions.
“Through my role of Sales Manager for Eco Bunker I got a taste of working in this relatively new area and it sparked my interest, so when the role came up at Reesink e-Vehicles it instantly appealed. I could see how beneficial electric transport options were for the sector by then and I was eager for a challenge on a national level.
“To join a relatively new division brings the ambition to grow it. There’s a huge amount of potential within the dealer network and I can see the untapped areas of the market.
The recruitment process for the role was competitive, exhaustive and essential to ensure the right candidate took on the role says Reesink’s Managing Director, Alastair Rowell: “This is one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry and a great opportunity to reach customers – new and existing – with our range of innovative solutions. Darren demonstrated he had the experience, insights and relationship management skills to continue the strong start for the division.”
Darren is now position and can be contact via Reesink head office on 01480 226800.