Construction of new golf course
Royal Norwich Golf Club, Norfolk
Ground conditions proved more difficult than original appraisal suggested
Ground conditions were favourable in the summer months given that the majority of the subsoil was largely sand and gravel, but trying to work the site through winter was a challenge with soils proving far less permeable than originally thought at design stage.
Some budget constraints following the sale of the original site led to value engineering of the academy holes, water harvesting, cart paths, drainage installation and irrigation coverage.
Detailed project planning and expert site management
The scope of work comprised the following:
- Spraying off and clearing the vegetation from the entire site
- Topsoil strip of all re-usable topsoil for re-use on fairways, surrounds & rough
- Cut and fill earthworks and golf course shaping
- Construction of a 5 metre deep 40,000m³ reservoir for the irrigation system
- Aerators and transfer pumping from reservoir to new 500m³ water storage tank
- Installation of primary piped drainage to key playing areas on heavier soils
- Installation of an automatic full fairway irrigation system
- Construction of 24 no USGA greens and tees
- Construction of 800m² USGA practice green and 600m² putting green
- Construction of a new outdoor practice tee and driving range
- Topsoil re-spread to all playing surfaces around greens, tees and bunkers
- Incorporation of specified soil amendments
- Cultivation and seeding to all areas.
A fantastic new parkland course for Norfolk
Construction works were completed in summer 2018, and following a 12 month grow-in by Peter Todd and his team, the course opened for play in 2019 with an eager membership of 1,100 members and visitors wanting to play the new course.
Playing surfaces have been strengthened since opening, with secondary drainage strategically installed to sensitive areas that were omitted during construction due to budget constraints.
