Speedcut Contractors had to move quickly to rebuild a bridge at Ham Manor Golf Club, West Sussex, within 24 hours – completing the job the morning before a ‘shotgun’ start of a major tournament in the afternoon.
The “International Challenge” is an annual event at the club between four teams of 17 from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Winners of the Tafftelyn Trophy were Scotland.
Speedcut removed the old bridge – with foundations destroyed by river erosion during the winter – on the Thursday afternoon and on the Friday morning installed the bridge deck. The bridge was officially opened by the club captain just before the tournament began.
“We moved quickly,” says Speedcut contracts manager Barry Pace. “We had just 24 hours to replace the collapsed bridge and moved in on the Thursday with machinery. The job involving demolishing the old railway-line and reinforced concrete bridge, installing new foundations, steel girders and sleepers – and was completed by Friday morning just before the shotgun start of the The International that afternoon.”
Ham Manor general manager Paul Bodle said: “Speedcut did a fantastic job and we were delighted to have the bridge up and running for the competition.
“With 68 players on the course it was important to have everything safely in place. The girders and sleepers have provided a safe crossing and the bridge looks smart.”
Speedcut have also been building a new tee at the 15th at Langley Park, Bromley – designed by James Edwards Golf Design – and are creating new paths and reforming existing bunkers on the 14th.
They have also been working with Swan Golf Design at Gerrards Cross GC constructing a new practice green. At Chislehurst Golf Club, Kent, they have rebuilt the surrounds and approach to the 7th green – a Weller Golf Design project.
At Upminster Golf Club tees are being laser-graded and renovated with Speedcut’s BLEC laser grader – as well as completing tees at Newbury and Crookham Golf Club, Berkshire, and The Dyke Golf Club, West Sussex.
One of the Speedcut teams is shortly to build a new tee at Hampstead Golf Club and at Barnhurst GC, Kent, Speedcut are to rebuild the putting green. The club is part of MyTime Active Leisure – as Speedcut are one of their ‘preferred suppliers’ for the group.
At Foxhills Golf Club and Resort, Surrey, Speedcut have completely rebuilt the 17th green and installed further paths.
“This has been a very hectic time, especially as the weather this winter has either delayed projects, made them extremely difficult to undertake carefully or forced us to postpone a few until this autumn,” says Barry. “We are taking advantage of the good weather and are now progressing very well with a wide variety of sportsturf jobs.”
Speedcut Contractors: www.speedcutcontractors.co.uk
Ham Manor Golf Club www.hammanor.co.uk
Foxhills Golf Club and Resort www.foxhills.co.uk