#7 bunker project

We will be starting a bunker project this week on #7 greenside bunkers. We will be removing the old sand, adding fresh sand, and making some repairs to the bunker face.

The bunkers on #7 were some of the first to be done as part of the master plan. Over time, sand shifts, is lost from the bunker, and becomes contaminated with soil. The sand needs to be replaced to ensure that water will continue to drain through and not puddle in the bunker. Also, over time, sand accumulates along the edge of the bunker and three main things happen:

·         The edge of the bunker can rise. This happens because the surface where the grass grows gradually gets higher due to the addition of sand.

·         The perimeter of the bunker will slowly get smaller and the overall size of the bunker can shrink. This happens as more sand collects around the edge and the grass grows in further and further.

·         The grass face along the edge can erode and turf can break off. The newly accumulated sand along the edge is far looser than the soil beneath and it can break free due to rain, Grounds staff walking around the edge, or golfers climbing out of the bunker.

Our process will consist of removing the old sand and storing at the shop for another purpose, stripping the sod along the entire edge of the bunker, shaving the built-up sand off of the soil, adding new sand to the bunker, re-sodding the edge, and then redistributing the new sand.

Our goal is to perform this entire process on the left and front right greenside bunkers. The far right greenside bunker does not need new sand, so we will only strip, clean, and re-sod the edge. Weather and other course responsibilities will impact the speed of the project most directly but we hope to be done at #7 green by the end of the week.

From #7, the plan will be to go to #6 and then #8 green bunkers. #6 and 8 are the next two worst bunker situations. Neither of these holes needs new sand, so it will be only the new edge work to accomplish. Once these are complete we will evaluate where to go next or if we should move on to other projects. The scope of the bunker project is to re-sod the edges of all the bunkers from 4 green through 9. These bunkers are all several years old and are in need of these same repairs. If, after we finish #6 and 8, we decide to pursue other projects, we will continue this project in the spring or this same time next year.

During the work at each bunker, that particular bunker will be played as Ground Under Repair and will have a sign denoting this as well.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not hit into the Grounds department staff while we are working- it is dangerous. Please be sure that we see you before hitting your shot.

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org