Playing conditions on Copthorne Golf Club’s parkland golf course are currently among the best ever experienced at the 132-year-old year old club following a major investment in new machinery and new green-keeping practices.
After taking on the services of consultant agronomist Greg Evans at the end of last summer, course manager Mike Gould and his team, working in collaboration with Evans, have implemented a course management plan that has succeeded in bringing about marked improvements to the playing surfaces at the West Sussex venue.
Other key figures involved in project included Copthorne General Manager Paul Tidey and Greens Director Nigel Guthrie, both of whom were integral to the strategic decisions and implementation of the course plan.
OTHER INVESTMENTS
Consistent light sand dressings, backed up with heavier work, including hollow coring, deep aeration and a regular fertiliser spraying programme, have proved transformational to the quality of the greens, which have been consistently playing at 9 and 10 on the stimpmeter over the summer.
Copthorne has also made significant investments in its water management infrastructure, installing a borehole and a new holding tank to increase water storage capacity.
Plans are also underway to upgrade the greens irrigation system across the course. In line with the
club’s commitment to preserving and enhancing its historical heathland characteristics, the club is currently reviewing the design and playability of its 5th hole.
Architect Alan Walker has been engaged to appraise and redesign the hole, including a new tee complex and a rebuilt green, as this is currently unplayable at times, with limited pin positions.
A key objective for the 6,654-yard course is the restoration of its traditional heathland features which have gradually diminished due to tree encroachment. The club is committed to bringing back these distinctive characteristics, which are integral to its heritage and the unique golfing experience it offers.