GOLFERS TO SAVE THEIR COURSE AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENT

GOLFERS in the UK are being given the opportunity to improve the condition of their own courses and at the same time do ‘their bit’ for the environment, thanks to dynamic new company, Fieldtech.

Based in Mill Brow near Stockport, Fieldtech are one of the countries leading providers of artificial surfaces, which are suitable for a whole range of sports including hockey, football and bowls. The company launched in February 2000 and ever since, have been inundated with millions of pounds worth of contracts, which has produced literally thousands of acres of artificial grass.

As a result of the company’s success, Fieldtech is now faced with the day-to-day issue on how to effectively deal with the waste and ‘cut-offs’ left after each job. However, an ideal solution has been found and Fieldtech are calling on the regions golfers and golf clubs to assist them with their new ‘green’ initiative.

Mike Tittershill, managing director at Fieldtech said: "Hundreds of golfers, many paying thousands of pounds annual membership, are being forced to sit each week in the clubhouse, whilst the appalling weather forces clubs to close their courses.

"At the end of each contract, the company is left with cut-offs which, due to the nature of the product and its physical properties, are difficult to deal with in an environmentally friendly way. The best form of recycling is reuse and we would like to appeal to local golfers and golf clubs to take off our hands, free of charge, the cut offs we are left with.

Mike continued: "Almost every golf course is suffering due to the weather. Members want to go out and play but the courses are shut as playing golf on a wet course can do untold damage to fairways and greens alike. If each member takes with them, along with their clubs and tees, a small, rectangular off cut, a local rule can be introduced stating that members can lift, clean and place the golf ball but place it back onto the artificial grass mat and not the actual fairway. The shot is then played off the mat and not the original surface. This will enable the golfers to play in wet conditions, without damaging the course."

A number of courses in the region have already adopted the idea, including Macclesfield Golf Club. David English, the club manager said: "Every year, our golf course suffered due to the wet weather conditions and our members were becoming more and more despondent with the reduction of golfing opportunities during the wet, winter season.

"We introduced the artificial all weather mats and the results have been fantastic. Not only did it enable the members to play in the most severe wet weather conditions, but also the fairways during the summer looked and played the best they have ever done as they had effectively been rested all winter."

Mike from FieldTech concluded: "There is a massive argument that alternate playing surfaces need to be considered in our schools and other community based sports facilities. For a golf course however, it’s difficult to resurface 100 acres, but this is the next best alternative. The mats work as a mobile artificial playing surface and, thanks to much improved production techniques, are the closing alternative available to playing on real grass. They will also protect the fairways during the winter, help the environment and enables members to get better value for money from their annual fees."

Golfers / Golf Club Secretaries: FieldTech ask Golf Club Secretaries to co-ordinate bulk orders for their members. Please call FieldTech on 0161 484 5487 to place your order.