Winter tee wins admirers

The summer has finally arrived (typically just as autumn approaches)

and you'd think those awful coco fibre mats which are used as temporary winter tees would be the furthest thing from people's minds. Not so. Forward planning is the essence of good course management and the enterprising Turfland company, based in Dun

Laoghaire, are winning admirers for their innovative all-weather raised tee boxes.

One of the beauties of this particular device is that it contains

12 unique tee-off spots (holes) which accept real tees. "You can shove them down as low as you like," explains Ken Heffernan, which should prevent one or two players from throwing tantrums this winter.

The golfer-friendly tee-box - actually called a "winter tee frame and mat" - is, unlike traditional models, usable by both left-handed and righthanded golfers. It comprises a steel mesh base mounted on a polyester-steel frame with four height adjusting legs. "The unit has proven to be increasingly popular," said Heffernan. "One of its main advantages is that it is heavy enough not to move when a golfer is taking up a stance, yet it is still light enough for ground staff to lift and put into place."

Importantly, the box looks well (with a green synthetic covering)

and is suitable for metal spikes and soft cleats. "There is a heavy wear factor on tee boxes and most golfers, I'm sure, accept that clubs simply have to rest them during the winter months. The traditional black rubber and coco fibre mats don't really allow a player the desired or preferred tee-off area - and we feel this unit, raised as it is, is most acceptable," added Heffernan.

Apart from the probability of increasing its numbers on Irish courses this winter, the unit could become a more familiar item at the growing number of driving ranges cropping up around the country.

Turfland (01-235 2780) are retailing the units at £350, while replacement mats are selling at £150.