Hello to all, as I write this blog, I have just been speaking with the various Southwest Greens dealers across Europe and it is encouraging to see that business is improving from just 6 months ago. In almost all the local markets across Europe, business is picking up. This is an important indicator for the niche market of synthetic turf for golf, sports, and landscape applications as it is generally considered a luxury item purchased with disposable income. We hope that the trend continues and the Europe can slowly come out of the recession it has been experiencing.
As an organization, Southwest Greens EMEA has done a few interesting things across Europe.Â
The most recent success story has been a compact golf course near Caen, France called Golf Louvigny. Currently a 6 hole course featuring 4 par 3s and 2 par 4s, the course is under construction and set to officially open in the spring of 2011.Â
Southwest Greens EMEA Construction was commissioned to build the tee boxes and the greens in synthetics. Designed and project managed by golf course architect Stuart Hallet, the major construction is now being completed this week with seeding expected to happen sometime in September of this year.
The course features 6 greens averaging approximately 200 m2 in synthetics, and also has a training academy with a 365m2 synthetic putting green and a 225m2 synthetic chipping green. The practice greens sit adjacent to a driving range that also includes 3 synthetic target greens in different colors. All told, Southwest Greens installed approximately 2.000m2 of synthetic surfaces on the course.
The concept of the course is an interesting one. Maxime Morel, owner of Golf Louvigny talks about the general concept being to allow the golfers of all levels a place to play and be challenged, while not having the time restraints associated with playing 9 holes or 18 holes on a championship course. His vision is to establish this facility with the hopes of perhaps expanding the concept to an additional 6 holes on the property adjacent to the location.
Stuart Hallet, who consulted the customer throughout the process, believes it is an idea that has merit. “I think the idea is a good one, to have a facility that gives the golfer easy access and a chance to play a round in a short period of time. In today’s busy world, this is becoming a key factor.”
Southwest Greens EMEA was brought in for the specialist work on the synthetics due to the experience and high quality craftsmenship we possess.  Hallet says “I was very happy to contract Southwest Greens as I have known about the quality of their product and the precision of their finished result.  The installation went very well and the customer is very happy with the end result. The main reason to go with synthetics was the maintenance considerations for the client.  By having the greens and tees in synthetics makes their maintenance plan and budget infinitely easier and less expensive” says Hallet.Â
We see these types of facilities popping up all over Europe and know that we are well positioned as a Company to offer legitimate solutions. We have spent many years honing our craft and building our reputation – and this reputation is based on the performance of the product and the skill of the installation team executing the works.
As a system, we have a few interesting possibilities of similar scope to look forward to. It appears that over the next couple of years there will be alot of these facilities being built across Europe.
If anyone interested in learning more about this or any other aspect of our business or product, please feel free to contact me.
Kind Regards to all,
Kevin Holinaty, President,
Southwest Greens EMEA
