Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions (GECS) has been working closely with Burnham Beeches Golf Club since November 2023 through an ‘Advisory Service’. This service includes regular course visits, turf condition assessments, and close collaboration with the club’s Course Manager, Lee Bishop, to support the development of agronomic plans for the golf course.
GEGCS’ initial focus at Burnham Beeches, located in Slough to the west of London, was to evaluate turf conditions and create a comprehensive improvement plan. Testing revealed high levels of organic matter in the top 20mm of the greens, leading to an aggressive renovation process. This involved three aeration treatments, the use of a top-changer machine, and application of over 100 tonnes of sand to enhance the greens’ quality.
The old, clay-based greens at Burnham, featuring a blend of Poa annua and indigenous bentgrass, have shown significant improvement following the renovations. In particular, the bentgrass is gaining momentum, colonising multiple greens and improving their overall condition.
Course Manager Lee Bishop commented on the progress, saying: “One of our main objectives has been to maintain greens’ performance with a daily speed of 10 to 11 feet. Thanks to the support from GEGCS and the dedication of our team, we’re not only achieving this but also seeing significant improvements across the course.”
Another focus for the club has been the restoration of its historic course features. Greens are being expanded to bring back their original character, moving away from oval shapes to embrace wider, more natural contours, while increasing the shortcut areas around the greens and creating run-offs. These changes have received extremely positive feedback from the membership.
The club is also working on improving turf quality across greens, tees, approaches, and fairways. Alongside these efforts, Burnham Beeches is conducting a tree and woodland appraisal to ensure the course’s long-term sustainability.
In line with its commitment to sustainability, the club has moved away from using fabricated nutritional products to raw soluble alternatives. Supported by the recent purchase of a pre-sprayer mixer, this provides a more economical approach to applying nutrients across the golf course.
Greg Evans said, “It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Lee and the entire team at Burnham Beeches. The club has shown a commitment to improving both the quality and sustainability of the course, and I’m excited to continue this journey with them.”
