Golf Club part of tyre trial

IN a bid to improve sand bunker drainage and environmental impacts, the Ballarat Golf Club will trial a new product made from the rubber of recycled tyres.

Golflex, a new foundation system from Environmental Golf Solutions and Flexiroc Australia, is being installed within two of the Club’s bunkers, and along a cart path.

BGC general manager Gary Fry said 1500 recycled tyres are being repurposed and works have commenced.

“The left and right greenside bunkers on the 18th have been approved by the board, as the trial bunkers and the cart path will be near the 14th tee,” he said.

“The works will see the sand stripped out, drainage be checked and improved, before the Golflex rubber concrete is installed. The base will be approximately 50 millimetres thick, covering all the area of the bunker base and faces, and once cured, the sand will be returned for play.

“The result should see a greatly improved playing surface with better drainage, and sand more readily retained on the faces. This will also result in reduced maintenance of the base installed.”

My Fry said the Club is proud to have been selected to take part in the trial process.

“We hope that it leads to a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of used tyres across Australia, with the bonus of providing improved playing conditions on course.”

The cart path will be coloured to blend with its environment. Weather permitting, all works should be completed by Friday, 28 May.