Greg Evans Golf Course Solutions has been working closely with Old Fold Manor Golf Club in North London since the autumn of 2020 to help spearhead transformational changes in course conditions and member satisfaction.
GEGCS began collaborating closely with Greens Chairman Nick Davis, Club Manager Alex Doran and Course Manager Mark Burnston to identify crucial areas for improvement and to develop a future plan.
The first area that needed attention at the Barnet-based course was drainage, which became particularly evident during the winter of 2020 when the course was saturated. The following summer, the team worked closely with Profusion Environment, focusing on critical areas such as the 9th and 13th approaches.
Subsequent projects in the summers of 2022 and 2023 targeted the 6th fairway and the 8th approach, and included drainage installation by Premier Turfing on the 12th fairway.
Fast forward to today and this work has enabled Old Fold Manor to keep all 18 holes open throughout the winter, something that the club has always struggled with. This has significantly improved member satisfaction by preventing course closures.
The second area that required attention was the organic matter. Initial tests showed that organic matter levels in the top 20mm layer were at 12.2%, a concerning figure compared to the industry standard of 5%. Through meticulous aeration and sanding protocols, the team reduced these levels to 5.5% within three years, achieving a 55% decrease and marking substantial improvement. This reduction now means that the greens perform to an excellent standard in the hot summer months and are better equipped to withstand the colder and wetter winter months.
As the club now prepares to target the next key areas for development, the collaborative efforts of all involved are a testament to the club’s commitment to excellence setting it up for success in 2024 and beyond.