Rayleigh Club owner Jamie Saitch has expressed delight at the dramatic benefits delivered to both courses by the installation of a comprehensive drainage system by Turfdry. With its unparalleled capacity for fast and efficient removal of surface water, Turfdry’s unique Hydraway Sportsdrain has transformed the playability of the course, giving the course a reputation for year-round play.
“As the owner of The Rayleigh Club, and having had Turfdry install drainage to both our championship members course & our pay and play course, I can honestly say that both courses have gone from being only playable 8-9 months per year to 12 months a year.
In fact, the only closure we have had since the drainage had been installed has been due to frost. The product works and works well. The planning and the services given are exceptional and I would recommend both to anyone looking to make their golf course an all-round better playing surface. We have found that not only are the fairways much drier, the growth we are experiencing since the drainage has been installed is also much thicker & healthier.”
Beyond improving the quality of the course – from both an aesthetic and a golfing perspective – Jamie notes that the drainage has had a positive effect on the club as a whole, with its reputation having been enhanced through prudent investment in carefully considered, technologically advanced drainage works.
“To me, the ultimate proof is that we now have over 50 people waiting to join the members course as they are aware that they are pretty much guaranteed all year round golf, and I’m certain there cannot be many golf clubs that can boast those facts.”
Turfdry’s working relationship with The Rayleigh Club began in 2014, at which time wet winters were precipitating course closures of up to 3 months of the year. Recognising this widespread waterlogging as the main stumbling block to his dream of making The Rayleigh Club the destination for golf in Essex, Jamie considered proposals from various drainage companies, ultimately choosing Turfdry as a result of their enthusiasm, professionalism, and their unique Turfdry Drainage System using Hydraway Sportsdrain.
This quality product drains water three-times faster than conventional plastic pipe, and can be installed in trenches only 50mm wide, thereby combining maximum drainage efficiency with minimum disruption to the existing turf.
With the scale of the task so significant – Turfdry MD Melvyn Taylor describing it as one of the wettest courses he has seen in 20 years of Turfdry operations – the design process was aided not only by a state-of-the-art satellite survey, but also by discussions with the club’s management and greenkeeping staff, to capitalise on their extensive experience of the course. The final approved design has Hydraway Sportsdrain at 4 or 5 metre spacing – from tee to green on every hole of the club’s South Course – thereby balancing optimum technical efficiency with cost-effectiveness.
Turfdry’s extensive experience of careful project planning, combined with a strong working relationship established with the club’s greenkeeping staff, facilitated a smooth operation, with a minimum of 16 or 17 holes remaining in play at any time. Indeed, many members took a break from play to compliment the process’ tidiness and efficiency.
In addition to the drainage works, Turfdry were also contracted to design and construct additional ponds across the course. Using the satellite survey date, 3D models and computer-generated images were created to enable design approval by the owner; these computer models are then fed into the state-of-the-art bulldozers equipped with laser-control systems and GPS. This approach, combined with finishing touches from skilled plant operators, enabled Turfdry to transform the club’s visions into reality.
Delighted with the effectiveness of the drainage over the winter of 2014/15, the club re-engaged Turfdry to design and implement drainage improvements to the East Course, and expand the earthworks element on the South Course to include tee construction, course landscaping, the reshaping of existing ponds to provide a uniformly quality aesthetic, and the expansion of the new ponds into even more dramatic designs.
With the landscaped areas now establishing well, and the beneficial impact of the drainage being seen across both courses – as well as on the membership waiting list – Turfdry and the club consider the works a tremendous success. This can be attributed not only to the cutting-edge technology used in the design, construction and installation process, but also to Turfdry’s belief in a holistic approach to course improvements: by taking the time to develop a strong understanding of the course, and the goals of the club’s owner, Turfdry has provided cost-effective solutions to wide-ranging problems in an atmosphere of clarity, collaboration and trust
With the landscaped areas now establishing well, and the beneficial impact of the drainage being seen across both courses – as well as on the membership waiting list – Turfdry and the club consider the works a tremendous success. This can be attributed not only to the cutting-edge technology used in the design, construction and installation process, but also to Turfdry’s belief in a holistic approach to course improvements. By taking the time to develop a strong understanding of the course – and the goals of the club’s ownership – Turfdry has provided cost effective solutions to wide ranging problems, and demonstrating that carefully considered course investment can reap wide-ranging benefits across a club’s operations.
To discuss Turfdry’s array of drainage and construction services, and how they might benefit your club, get in touch today to arrange a no obligation site visit.
Call: 01283 55141
Email: enquiries@turfdry.com
Web: www.turfdry.com
