Royal Golf de Marrakech

The reconstruction was handled by General Manager Stephane Talbot, and has included the installation of the Capillary Bunkers lining system in the course’s sand hazards.

This is – unsually – not principally for drainage reasons. “But suitable sand – ironically given the desert environment – is scarce and expensive, so the use of the Capillary Bunkers system is important as it helps us to ensure the bunker edges stay fixed and prevents contamination of the sand.” The sand in Talbot’s new bunkers is pearlescent white and made from crushed marble.

“I also decided to add a new fairway bunker only a week before opening,” he said. “With many other liners, this would have been impossible, but the short order horizon of Capillary Bunkers — we can have a concrete truck here within a day or two — and the fact that we can install the liner ourselves made it feasible. There is no reliable golf contractor in Marrakech, so being able to install the liner in-house is particularly important.

The course reopened on November 1, and on October 29 Talbot’s crew was still building bunkers!

Capillary Bunkers is an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

Saving sand at Royal Marakech