Carholme Golf Club Course Reconstruction and Flood Recovery

Fineturf were approached by the team at Carholme Golf Club to assist in the recovery and reconstruction of two greens, four fairways and four tees that had been left unplayable due to flooding. The prolonged and unprecedented rainfall that fell between July 2023 and April 2024 had caused floodbanks to collapse, and left significant damage on the 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and half of the 9^th hole. Work commenced at the end of June 2024.

The first stage to re-build the two greens was to remove the existing rootzone to a depth that was no longer contaminated by river silt. When clean rootzone was reached, the surface was then built back up using fresh rootzone to level. The greens were shaped, prepared and fertilised ahead of the installation of Poa Bent Greens turf from Tillers Turf. Where required, irrigation was also repaired and/or replaced.

The process for the four affected tees was similar; stripping off the silt-contaminated rootzone and replacing this with new rootzone. The tees were then laser graded ready for turfing, for which the club opted to do with Tillers Turf Arena Gold.

On the four fairways, the contaminated rootzone was removed before the surface was cultivated and prepared for seeding. The fairways were sown with MM22 grass seed, then treated with Multigreen 28-3-15 slow-release fertiliser to provide a source of essential nutrients through the grow-in period.

Together with the turf surfaces, Fineturf also repaired some of the peripheral damage sustained. This included the re-building of four bridges that were washed away, and the reinstatement of other structural surrounds. Disc seeding with MM22 was conducted on the rough and semi-rough and a conventional fertiliser in the form of 14-6-8 was applied to bring these areas up to standard.

The full project took a total of six weeks and was completed on schedule and on target. Following a long period of playing just 14.5 holes, we are sure that the club and players alike will enjoy the new areas once the grow-in has completed and thank all at Carholme for their support and trust with this important project.