Rising Land Values Create New Opportunities
Once considered uneconomical, basement excavation has become more attractive as land values rise across Australia’s major cities. Homeowners, businesses, and clubs now dig beneath existing buildings to create car parking, storage, or extra living space. For golf clubs, smarter use of land helps address space shortages — and in some cases, even supports members in improving their golf handicap by enhancing club facilities.
Elanora Country Club’s Challenge
Sydney’s Elanora Country Club Ltd needed more parking for golf buggies. The solution was to excavate rock beneath the pro shop. However, the project came with a major challenge: removing 150 cubic metres of solid sandstone in a confined space. The low headroom under the building demanded a compact but powerful excavator that could operate with rock-cutting and breaking tools.
Why Takeuchi Made the Difference
Rick Davis Civil Contracting took on the job. They needed an excavator small enough to work under the pro shop roofline but strong enough to cut and break sandstone.
“Most of our equipment was too large for the restricted space,” said Scott Davis. “Our fleet usually consists of mid-sized excavators, so we added a Takeuchi TB215R — our first micro excavator. The golf buggy parking site showed exactly why you need this type of machine. It handles jobs that would otherwise require jackhammers — which are noisier, more costly, and come with safety risks.”
Compact Power, Big Results
Weighing only 1.5 tonnes with an 11.0 kW output, the TB215R drives the Groundtec GT1 diamond saw with ease. Operators can cut flush against wall boundaries with precision. The saw requires no case drain line and operates in both directions, ensuring the water spray stays clear of the operator.
“The TB215R now allows us to take on more confined excavation projects,” Scott added. “These jobs can be just as profitable as larger contracts, and the compact machine makes them much safer and faster to complete.”
Smarter Excavation, Smarter Golf Facilities
By creating more buggy parking, Elanora Country Club improved its facilities and helped members focus more on their game and less on logistics. Better access and space management contribute indirectly to player satisfaction — and that means fewer excuses when it comes to improving a golf handicap.
