The Hotchkin course at The National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa is renowned for being one of the best golf courses in the world, with much of the credit going to the re-design by legendary course designer Tom Doak between 2016 and 2020.
With the focus on returning the Hotchkin to its authentic heathland roots, Doak added 43 bunkers alongside a huge tree clearance programme and the re-building of three greens, but while the new layout quickly gained accolades some of the maintenance challenges, particularly around the bunkers, became difficult to address.
“From my first day three years ago, stone ingress into the bunkers and the erosion of hazard walls and the surrounds were clear priorities for the course,” commented Peter Moore, Courses Director at Woodhall Spa. “The playability and the aesthetics of the bunkers were falling so we needed a solution that protected Doak’s design for the long-term while preventing all the erosion factors that were causing us real issues.”
To add an extra layer of complication, Woodhall Spa is a site of special scientific interest, so every plan had to be made with Natural England approval, including considerations for the sustainability of materials and the use of construction techniques that are sympathetic to the natural environment.
“I completed an assessment of the 143 bunkers on site and made a presentation to the board. A huge amount of work went into prioritising action, so once approved, we knew exactly what we needed from a partner,” continued Moore. “Not only did we need someone who could meet all of the various technical and environmental criteria, we needed a problem-solving partner with a range of solutions that could combine across various challenges. That’s when we contacted EcoBunker.”
Following an initial meeting, EcoBunker CEO Richard Allen used his vast experience in bunker construction, golf course design and engineering to design a bespoke solution for the unique issues facing the Hotchkin.
“This has been such an incredible project to work on because it has really tested our technical expertise and product innovations,” commented Allen. “I love a problem to solve and my background in civil engineering was certainly useful for this one. To work so closely with Peter and course design consultant Clyde Johnson, who worked with Tom Doak on the original design, has been such a pleasure. To find a solution that utilised every EcoBunker product was hugely satisfying.”
Allen returned to Moore with schematic drawings that combined EcoBunker synthetic edging, EcoTec bunker liners and the first large scale use of LOKSAND technology in the UK. This combination would provide all the erosion control and sensitivity to the original design that was needed for this unique challenge.
“Keeping true to Doak’s original design was our number one priority. We needed to lock in that design for years to come, eliminate erosion and stone ingress while not altering the original aesthetic,” explained Allen. “We devised a very low synthetic edge that is invisible in the finished bunker. That edge meets with a full EcoTec bunker liner creating a completely sealed unit that is erosion free and keeps out all contamination from below. We then used LOKSAND on the bunker surrounds to ensure that in high traffic areas there could be no erosion to contaminate the bunkers.”
Working closely with the team at Woodhall Spa, the plan was developed, and work began on three trial bunkers in January 26.
“The results have been remarkable. The look of the bunkers is exactly the same,” says Moore. “They look so established and natural, and the issues have been completely eliminated. We’ve added a heavier sand that interacts beautifully with the EcoTec liner making them so consistent and playable while retaining every bit of challenge that Doak originally intended.
“This has been a tough summer for course maintenance. Everything has dried out making it more prone to erosion, but the bunkers are still so solid. Perhaps most impressive is the areas where LOKSAND has been used. These high traffic areas would crumble into the hazards quite easily and create worn patches. But not only has LOKSAND provided the stability that we need, the grass growth has been superb.”
Moore adds: “From the first time the LOKSAND went in we ‘stress tested’ it by walking along it during the construction process. A few of us were jumping on the edges and the strength it gave was incredible. To see it in action and interacting so well with the other bunker technologies is a credit to everyone involved in the design, construction and maintenance of the new bunkers.”
The project has been such a success that the board at Woodhall Spa has expedited the original plan, reducing the timescale for the completion of all greenside bunkers from five years to two years. Combined with unanimously positive feedback from golfers, the next phase of work is highly anticipated.
“We can’t wait to get on to the next phase,” concluded Moore. “Working with a problem solver like Richard Allen has been key to making this project work. The expertise he brought, along with the innovative product solutions has been crucial to our success. As we continue the work, we’re delighted with our partnership with EcoBunker and beyond happy that we have been able to lock in Tom Doak’s design for the long term, ensuring that the Hotchkin continues to be regarded as one of the best golf courses in the world.”