The Carrickmines Golf Club
New Short Game Practice Area
The newly developed short game practice area, above the clubhouse, has now been
developed and will be opened for use during the summer.
This practice area was developed following feedback from members in the club survey of
2014. Over 500 trees were felled and removed from the area. More than 70 loads of subsoil
and 40 loads of topsoil were brought in to build up the area after removing the trees.
The area has a large three tier green, two bunkers and large pitching and chipping area.
The initial budget was €48,550 plus €5,000 for additional topsoil, if required. The additional
topsoil was required to supplement the topsoil remaining, after removing the trees, which
was thinner than forecast.
In addition more topsoil than this was required. In excess of 10 loads of sand, which was not
in the original budget, was mixed into the topsoil to lighten the soil and ensure that the area
could be used in adverse wet conditions. (Additional topsoil and sand €3,000).
Irrigation, which was not included in the initial budget, was put in (€3,600), because if there
is a dry period, this area will dry up with the additional sand mixed into the soil. Sportsbond
was put into the bunkers (€1,200). Sportsbond is a membrane in the bunker, under the
sand, which allows rain through and, therefore, ensures that the sand is not washed to the
bottom of the bunker and does not harden.
The green was developed using the topsoil/sand brought in and the cores from the 9 greens
on the course following hollow tining. It was developed this way in the attempt to have the
green as close as possible to the quality of the greens on the course.
The final bill included a sum of €7,155 for VAT. This was not included in the initial budget as
when we commenced the work golf clubs did not pay full VAT on expenses incurred on
course work. This unfortunately has now changed.
The total cost, therefore, of developing the practice area, was €68,538.
Hugh Hamilton
April 2016