What style of bunker suits a Downland golf course? Royal Winchester had for many years struggled to maintain their combination of rolled in turf and sand faced bunkers, battling voracious burrowing badgers and the effects of sand wash down. They eventually found the answer in EcoBunker, which delivered badger proof banks, and a gentler sand profile which was much more resilient to sand wash down.

Downland turf, especially in summer produces great fast and firm conditions and the course has a very links like feel. The new EcoBunkers, built under licence by Course Manager Andy Barber and his talented team, enhance that linksy experience. Andy will admit that possibly the very first bunkers built were a little deep and punitive, but the team learned fast were soon delivering some beautiful flowing shapes that sit naturally in the rolling topography. In addition to the stunning aesthetics, the low maintenance demands of the new bunkers have released greenkeeping time to other parts of the course. Judging by the increasing number of members and visitors, the condition of the course is improving markedly year on year.

The club is due to complete all their bunkers before the summer of 2017, ending an exciting 4 year construction project.