Bunker projects

We are only a week away from the start of fall and the temperatures have only just started to feel fall-like. Fall golf can be some of the best golf of the year. The Grounds department is also able to start some much needed projects around the course.

One project which we have already completed is checking the depth of sand in all of the bunkers on the course. It is amazing the amount of shifting the sand can do over a season, let alone multiple years. The newest bunkers from last year’s construction needed only slight adjustments. However, some of the bunkers we worked required major changes. The two biggest culprits that cause the sand to shift are weather (rain and wind) and maintenance. Heavy rainstorms can wash the sand from one end of a bunker and deposit it in the other end. Wind can also slowly move sand. Usually, the wind blows the sand completely out of the bunker, leaving areas shallower than we want. The second major cause of sand shifting is regular maintenance. The machine we use does a good job of smoothing out the sand, preparing it for play. However, to make the surface smooth, the machine pulls a lot of sand along with it, redistributing it in lower areas. In addition, hitting bunker shots splashes sand out and routine player raking also play a minor role in changing the sand depths within the bunker.

We start by digging into the sand in the bunker in a grid pattern checking to make sure there is adequate sand evenly spread throughout. Too much on the face can lead to plugged lies, too little in the bottom can lead to players striking soil with their swing. Once we have determined where there is excess and where there is a need, we move sand accordingly. We use shovels, a small grading blade on the front of the bunker machine, and this year we even used our skid loader! Some of the bunkers needed MULTIPLE CART LOADS of sand moved from location to another. Once repositioned, the sand is leveled and compacted. While time consuming and labor-intensive, adjusting the depth of sand is essential to maintaining bunker playability.

Here is a pile of sand that we are moving from one end of the bunker to the other.

The second project, which we have not yet started, will be to re-sod the bunker edges around the bunkers on holes 5-9. These were the first holes reconstructed as part of the master plan and are in need of some upkeep. These bunkers are still performing well from their improvements, but over time sand collects in the sod immediately surrounding the bunker. The loose sand can easily give way and the turf will break away from the bunker face. Also, a lip forms around the bunker creating an area where a ball may come to lie and making a very difficult shot. We will pull sand away from the sod, strip out the old sod, lay new sod in its place, and push the sand back. Our goal is to start in October.

Bunkers are hazards from which shots are not supposed to be played. However, even the best golfers end up in the sand so we spend many man-hours making sure that the bunkers are prepared as best as possible.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

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

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org