Wind-blown bunker sand

While things change less frequently during the winter, we still have the opportunity to accomplish many tasks. We spend a great deal of time working inside to refurbish many of the items that a golfer encounters on the course during the season. Still, we also make it a requirement to get out and observe the course as often as possible to continue to monitor changes, conditions, or any other important aspects. One such circumstance that we noticed recently was how sand can be blown out of a bunker.

Sand deposited outside a bunker on #9

We know that there are several ways bunker sand can escape a bunker. Golfers hit it out with their shots, we blow it out when we blow debris from the bunkers, and the wind can blow it out as well. These are the reasons that we need to add new bunker sand. It is also the reason that we need to re-sod the edges of bunkers regularly, to remove the built up sand, which you can read about here and see pictures of here. Both are aspects of regular bunker maintenance.

We have all seen the bunker sand left on putting surfaces after a shot. When we are blowing leaves out of the bunker, it is easy to see the finest grains blowing away as well. Occasionally, we can see a big gust of wind come through and blow a bit of sand out also, but this is the hardest to catch in action. However, recently, when the snow had melted, we spotted the obvious sign of wind-blown sand.

There isn’t really anything we can do about the wind blowing sand out of the bunkers. Our goal is to minimize the amount of sand that is lost in other ways. We adjust the angle and force that we blow debris to minimize loss. We manage the drainage of the bunkers so that they do not clog, overflow when flooded, and result in sand floating away.

It is interesting to see the way the elements can shape certain aspects of the course. Seeing the results firsthand can help us tailor our maintenance to account for changes.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not scrape or brush snow out of your putting line.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on-course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Divot Repair

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org