Ipswich GC restores original bunkering

Ipswich Golf Club is renovating its bunkers to their original style. Course architect Martin Hawtree is overseeing the project, 88 years after his grandfather Fred, along with legendary golfer James Braid, designed the course. The multi-phase project will take a number of years, with work having already started on four holes.

Hawtree Ltd which has also worked closely with the R&A on five Open Championship venues undertook a comprehensive review of the bunkers, before recommending the work. The club has employed outside contractors to complete the construction work, leaving its own greenkeeping staff free to continue their work. It is hoped the work will have minimal impact on the enjoyment of golfers playing during the construction process.

Ipswich Golf Club is currently ranked within the top 100 golf courses in England by influential publication Golf World and website top100golfcourses.co.uk.

Neill Ellice, Ipswich Golf Club general manager, said, “The vision is to have the bunkers restored, as close as possible, to the original Fred Hawtree style. The bunkers are one of the course’s outstanding features, quite intricately shaped, with bays separated by heather. Over the course of the last 88 years they have begun to show signs of age, a product of years of use, weather and maintenance. By analysing old photographs and utilising the skills built up through designing golf courses all over the world, Hawtree Ltd will ensure all bunkers on the course will be restored to their former glory.” Further details at: www.ipswichgolfclub.com