A £500,000 flood alleviation scheme at the Nicklaus-designed Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in Llanelli is nearing completion, despite one of the wettest summers on record.

Welsh contractor Cuddy Group was faced with weeks of continuous rainfall, running sand and the need to protect a colony of water voles.

Cuddy contracts manager Gavin Lockyer said: "It's been a substantial challenge and very frustrating at times when torrential rain has left us with no option other than to sit it out and wait for dryer conditions.

The scheme involved Cuddy moving 35,000 cu m of earth – by hand at times in order to safeguard potential vole burrows – to ensure the course's protection from potential flooding.

During times of peak flow the Afan Dafen river that coasts through the course has often failed to hold its water volume, and when coupled with an incoming tide and excessive water levels from the neighbouring Loughor Estuary, a deluge of water from the existing outfall has at times arisen.

 This article first appeared in issue 15 of Golf Course Architecture, published in January 2009.