The golf course outside the village of Valley, south of Munich came close to being selected to host the Ryder Cup in 2022, eventually losing out to Marco Simone GC, Rome (another EcoBunker client). It is certainly easy to see why it was a serious candidate; extensive infrastructure, large mounded spectator areas, lots of water, classic matchplay holes and at nearly 8000 yards from the back tees, one of the longest courses in Europe.

Even then, owner Michael Weichelsgartner still wanted improvements, and golf consultant Andi Matzner introduced Ecobunker as the solution to smarten up the bunkers and give them a character more akin to an inland links environment. The fact that EcoBunker is a 100% recycled product was also a huge factor as Mr Weichelsgartner and the team are ardent environmentalists.

EcoBunker Ltd were employed as golf course contractors to re-shape, supply and install the ecobunker system on phase 1, involving 12 large bunkers. Re-producing similar design styles used by EcoBunker on other inland ‘linksy’ courses such as Chart Hills and Royal Winchester, EcoBunker’s 6-man team started in early December 2018. Although we pride ourselves on our resilience and adaptability, 3 feet of drifting snow forced a 3- month delay until March 2019.

On returning the team worked superbly, working some beautiful shapes despite having to dig into heavy, stony landfill. Golf course shaper, Huw Morgan on the excavator (and Andy Greenslade before him) worked tirelessly and deserve a huge amount of credit, working with difficult soil and preparing the way for our bunker wall constructors, led by Llewellyn Matthews.

At the time of writing work has just been completed bang on time and within budget, and in future editions of the Bunker we will be showing more completed bunker photographs of this fantastic project. Plans are already being prepared for phase 2 in the Autumn of 2019.