Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Santa Maria revisits bunkering to enhance playability

Santa Maria Golf & Country Club in Panama is conducting bunker renovation work on its Nicklaus Design course, which opened in 2012.

The project involves updating both the appearance and infrastructure of the hazards.

“Panama City receives a great amount of rainfall, particularly between the months of May and December, leading to sand washouts in the bunkers,” said general manager José Ignacio Olea. “Since the opening of the golf course, the frequent washouts have led to maintenance difficulties. Therefore, we needed to take action and not only improve the bunkers, but change the style of bunkers and simplifying their maintenance, guaranteeing an overall improvement on the conditions and enhancing the playability.”

The club decided that new bunker lining was required. “Capillary Bunkers was suggested and supported by Troon Golf, which has been involved in a number of bunker renovation projects, so its experience, coupled with the vision and expertise of the golf course designer, Troy Vincent, paved the path to the selection of the Capillary Bunkers,” said Olea.

Mexican contractor Roca Golf handled the installation.

“After seeing the first few holes finished, the result is impressive, and we are extremely confident with Roca Golf and their ability to translate the vision of the architect into the final product,” said Olea. “Our members are extremely pleased with the new look. We have had some rains and the bunkers have taken it very well, considering that the sand is not fully compacted yet.”

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  • Santa Maria
    Capillary Concrete

    Santa Maria Golf & Country Club in Panama is conducting bunker renovation work on its Nicklaus Design course

  • Santa Maria
    Capillary Concrete

    The project involves updating both the appearance and infrastructure of the hazards

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Capillary Concrete
Richard Humphreys

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