DUNCAN ROSS, the Ormskirk-based sportsturf contractor, has successfully completed the drainage part of a re-development project at Clitheroe Golf Club, Lancashire, after last winter’s weather caused huge delays.

It all began two years ago when the planned general drainage improvement across the course and the addition of a superb state-of-the-art driving range was in full swing.

All activity ground to a halt in November 2012 with persistent poor weather, flooding and atrocious conditions that continued to dominate the next six months. This prevented any men or machinery from working on the site.

An extended dry spell during this August and September allowed Duncan Ross the window they needed to go onto the course and carry out the extensive work - quickly, expertly and with minimum disruption.

Following on from the initial main drainage installations on the first and 18^th fairways, Duncan Ross has installed a further 1600metres of lateral drains to complete the project.

Andrew Geddes, course manager at Clitheroe GC, is delighted with the results.

“It has been a long haul, but worth it,” he says. “The weather last year caused huge delays and created quite an upheaval for the club. But I’m delighted to say that the Duncan Ross team has been able to finish the work and we should have the course in full use again in time for the winter.”

All the work was conducted with the minimum of disturbance to the club, with boards laid wherever necessary to reduce impact on the ground.

“I am very pleased with the excellent standard of work from Duncan Ross and his team,” says Andrew. “But on top of that they proved to have the knowledge and experience of working on golf courses which is so important. It may seem obvious, but it isn’t always the case.”

He explained how understanding the rules of etiquette, respecting the players, the public - and even knowing when and where to take vehicles - is vital when the course remains open during construction work.

Managing director Duncan Ross openly admits that they consciously work with the staff and try to become a part of the greenkeeping team.

“We are always mindful of the day-to-day activities of the greens staff and the players,” he says. “It doesn’t hinder our work. In fact the opposite is true. Co-operation plays a huge role in getting the job done cleanly and without incident.”

Duncan Ross Ltd is one of the leading specialist sports turf contractors and offers a personal hands-on approach to all of their projects.

They work with their fellow professionals to ensure that best practice is encouraged, and affordable, however large or small the task.