Chipping green bunker renovation

We worked for most of October and November on our annual bunker renovation work. We did holes #3 and #17 first. Our last bunker of this season was the Chipping Green practice bunker. This was an extreme example of the need for continual renovation.

Bunker prior to work starting

From inside the bunker prior to work starting

Though our process was identical to all other bunker renovation work, outlined here, the practice bunker receives such repeated use that it ages 2-3 times faster than regular bunkers. The single biggest factor for sand building on the lip of this bunker is the many, many shots hit out in the same direction. On the course, far fewer people will play from any particular bunker and moving the flag shifts the target enough that sand is sprayed over a wide area.

The chipping green bunker does not benefit from either of these factors. Everyone hits in the same direction and there may be several hundred shots taken out this one bunker per day. We must replenish the sand several times per year to keep enough in the bottom.

The dark brown clay at the bottom of the 
picture is the original soil base. There is approximately 2 feet
of sand built up on top.

The glove in the center of the picture is placed for scale to show
how deep the sand is built up on the green.

So, where does all that sand go? Out onto the bunker edge as well as onto the green itself. We started by removing the old sod as usual. Then the built-up sand was removed until we reached down to the original clay soil. We also stripped about 8 feet of green surface as well to remove the sand from underneath. The green sod was then laid back in place. New rough sod was laid around the entire bunker complex and everything looks good as new.

Another shot from inside the bunker showing
the excess sand

A finished shot from inside the bunker

In addition, as part of this project, we also resodded the entire chipping green collar to bent grass. This is the same sod we used to repair the collar on #9 as part of the drainage project we did on that green. This gets us one step closer to replacing all the collars to bent grass.

Replacing the green sod after removal
of extra sand

The new collar sod

Fully complete with new rough and collar sod in place

It is good that the practice bunker is used by so many people. But it kept us busy making sure the bunker stays close to its original design.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please remember to keep your cart on the cart path when we are “Cart Path Only.”

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