Bunker repair

Although our last major rainstorm was 2 weeks ago, we are just getting the pictures out showing exactly what the bunkers look like following the rain. It takes a team effort to get them back into playing shape.

The brown silt on the surface must be
removed. Sand movement from
the edges can also be seen.

Initially as the rain falls, the bunkers can handle a great deal of water. However, as large storms dump more and more, eventually there is so much water coming down the bunker faces, flowing in from other areas, or puddling in the bottom, that the sand starts to shift. First, it sloughs off the edges but stays relatively close to its origin. But with additional water, the sand starts to shift and collect near the center (or lowest point) of the bunker.

As the sand recedes from the edges, bare soil is exposed. As rushing water and falling rain interact with the soil, it begins to erode. Being finer than the sand, and thus, lighter, it settles on top.

Once the rain stops and the puddles drain, a disheveled bunker is what is left. Soil has contaminated the sand and the sand is not where it is supposed to be. Shifted sand from rain is one of the leading causes of improper sand depths in bunkers and is why we must constantly check and move sand around.

Our cleanup process starts by blowing out any debris that has also collected in the bunker. Heavy rains often come with wind; falling leaves and branches may land in the bunker or be carried there by flowing water. We do not want to bury any of this organic material in the sand, so it is cleared away first.

Next, we must remove the silt that was deposited on top of the sand. As bunkers age, they drain slower. Contaminated sand is the reason for this decline. The finer particles of silt and soil intermix with the larger sand particles, locking tight, and preventing water infiltration and percolation. We carefully scrape just the top layer of sand/silt mix away leaving only clean sand. The layer we remove is hauled away and used as scrap dirt.

The sand near the front of this bunker moved
several feet into the center. It must be pushed
back to the edge.

Once the sand is clean, we start to move it back from where it came. Using shovels, our bunker machine with a small blade attachment, and rakes, we get the sand back up on the edges and spread around evenly.

It's easy to explain, but this process is very labor intensive and difficult. Some bunkers handle storms better than others. Factors such as age, location, and surrounding topography all play a role. Repair work can take 10-20 minutes per bunker. We have 71 bunkers, so this is a major undertaking involving the entire staff each time it rains heavily.

Although a hazard, bunkers take up a large portion of labor. When Mother Nature intervenes, they can become even more difficult to maintain.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please leave bunker rakes inside the bunker once you are finished.

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