Spring tasks

Spring is just around the corner. It’s time to break out of winter and wake the course back up. Over the next few weeks we will be working on getting accessories back out, charging the irrigation, and preparing the bunkers for the season.

During the winter we bring in many of the course accessories: tee markers, ball washers, bunker rakes, etc. We refurbish these items and prepare them for another season. Now it is time to put them back out. In the next week we will replace the wooden tee markers with our logo markers. All the ball washers will be reinstalled with fresh water and new towels. We will also be placing the bunker rakes back into bunkers for regular use. This season we also built new benches to replace the old concrete ones and they will be set out also. All these accessories will give the course its rightful feel for the season.

Soon, we will also be recharging the irrigation system. We gradually reopen the valve from our pond on #17 and pump the water back into all our pipes to the sprinklers. We test the system to make sure it is operating correctly and monitor for any leaks. It is important for us to have access to our irrigation as we progress into spring in order to water in certain chemical applications.

We also slowly work through cleaning all the flower and shrub beds on the course. We clean out any leaves, sticks, and debris that has accumulated through the winter. We add mulch anywhere necessary and trim back any overgrown plants. Weeds will also be sprayed. This process gives the course a fresh start for the year.

Probably the most important task of the next few weeks is the bunker work. While we have shoveled, raked, and generally maintained the bunkers all winter, it is time to readjust the sand depth. Several factors cause the sand to shift within the bunkers. It can move from wind or water. It can also move just from being raked. So, 2-3 times per season we must hit the reset button. We probe the depth of sand across the entire bunker and move sand from where there is too much to where there is too little, establishing 6” of sand throughout. Maintaining adequate sand depth is crucial to the playability of the bunkers.

While most of these tasks do not impact playing the course, they nevertheless add to the experience. Having freshly painted tee markers and ball washers back out lets everyone know the golf season is coming soon.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please keep carts on cart paths for the entirety of par 3 holes.

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:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org