Basingstoke Golf Club has partnered with Turfgrass to provide specialist agronomy consultancy and interim course management support as the club settles into its newly developed course.
The north Hampshire club’s greenkeeping team, led by new course manager Jake Field, will work closely with the turf industry experts over the next three years to improve the playing experience for members and visitors on its redesigned course.
Basingstoke relocated to its new home in Dummer in 2021 and has since undergone a major redevelopment, including the launch of an 18-hole championship downland course in autumn 2024 as part of a £20 million transformation.
Widely recognised as an industry leader in Creeping Bentgrass, Turfgrass will focus on improving turf performance, surface consistency on tees, fairways and greens and long-term agronomic outcomes on the club’s new-look layout, which was created by Weller Designs.
The scope of the work will include routine agronomy consultancy, a full review of the Creeping Bentgrass management programme and the placement of an interim consulting course manager for a period of up to three months to ensure seamless continuity during a key staffing transition.
Through best practices, data-led decision-making and sustainable turf management, Turfgrass® will support Basingstoke’s team as the course matures, helping ensure that playing conditions meet the expectations of its active membership and that the Bentgrass greens reach their full performance potential.
David Green, Basingstoke Golf Club’s general manager, said: “We’re very pleased to have partnered with Turfgrass’® and are confident that they will help us to deliver outstanding conditions for our members and guests as the course continues to bed-in and mature.
“Their expertise in Creeping Bentgrass, combined with practical course management support, will be invaluable in helping our greenkeeping team establish consistent, high-quality playing surfaces and realise the long-term vision for the course.
Julian Mooney, director of agronomy at Turfgrass®, said: “We are delighted to partner with the team at Basingstoke Golf Club, guiding the Creeping Bentgrass management programme and supporting the course’s early maturation, ensuring it meets the expectations of a busy membership.”
The partnership with Turfgrass® is the latest exciting development for Basingstoke as the forward-thinking club as it continues the build-up to the official inauguration of the par-72 course this spring.
In addition to the opening of a specialist short-game area last October, the club is busy putting the finishing touches to a new Trackman-powered, 16-bay driving range measuring 300 yards that is set to launch in the next few months.