Tom Mackenzie of Mackenzie & Ebert is under way with the final phase of greens renovation work at Minthis Golf Club in Paphos, Cyprus.
The first phase was completed in October 2019 and the current work focuses on the remaining eight greens and complexes. The start date was delayed due to the country’s lockdown restrictions as a specialist team from 1st Golf Construction was bringing equipment from the UK.
Mackenzie has redesigned the clay push-up greens and surrounds, which are being rebuilt to USGA specifications.
“Pafilia, the owner of the course and the project developers, have been bold in proceeding with this second phase of the work,” said Mackenzie. “It will mean that the work is completed when the world gets back to something like normal in 2021, assuming the Covid-19 situation improves. Those who have been to Minthis in recent years have witnessed its amazing rebirth. It is such a beautiful place to play with its wonderful new clubhouse, the monastery, orchard trees and vineyards. It is a unique experience.
“This green construction, follows the addition of the new tenth and eleventh holes, and not only will it add to variety and interest that the course offers, but the new greens will be better year-round and more disease tolerant.”
Minthis has recently been awarded an GEO OnCourse Certification and this phase will build on the work already completed.
During construction, the golf course remains operational with nine holes open for play. The club will re-lay cart paths and re-line the lake of the island green.
Golf operations at Minthis were temporarily suspended due to the global pandemic and, during this time, the club decided to make use of the non-playing period and complete some maintenance projects – including erosion and re-vegetation repairs – overseen by course manager, Chris Furneaux.
Recent work on the course has also included the remodelling of the irrigation lake, which was completed in May. It has now doubled in capacity to 3,800 cubic metres. Minthis is now able to store enough grey water and recycled rainwater to maintain and water the golf course all year round.
In addition, the control system for the pump station has been replaced with a Grundfos MPC control panel for a more consistent playing surface.
Renovation work is expected to be complete by the end of the year, so 18 holes can reopen in spring 2021.