Bunker Work

Yesterday we began our spring time bunker cleanup and maintenance.  First thing we are doing is going through the bunkers and putting a nice crisp edge on them.  Edges are needed to define what the hazard is, some times if edges aren't in place there can be uncertainy of whether you are in the hazard or not.  Included here are some photos of bunkers as work is being done but also photos to document some of the contamination that we face with our bunkers as well as draintile damage we face.  Bunker renovation is still something being discussed, and it is necessary to improve the overall condition and playability of the bunkers here at Briarwood.  Currently the bunkers are 9 years old and have made it through winters and heavy rains which all compromise the purity of the sand resulting in substandard conditions over the years.

Large fairway bunker on 5.  Here you can see the edge being eroded from the winter and the contamination of the sand from the washed out soil.

Same bunker on 5.  Here are two areas where water actually runs into the bunker.  These two spots are exact locations of where the grounds is swailed and water runs down the hill and right into the bunker washing out the sand and bringing in debris.

This is the second lefthand fairway trap on 9.  Here we have done the edge on the trap but you can see the dark areas where soil washes down from the face and mixes with the sand.

Same bunker on 9 just giving a full view of the trap.  Again you can see where contamination comes from.

This is the draintile in the bunker behind 10 green.  Obviously damaged and needs replacement which will be done.  When drains are damage like this sand flows into the the tile which not only can plug the tile but also reduce the amount of sand in the bunker.

Just another photo of the edge washing out and how our bunkers become contaminated.



Our bunkers are designed in such a way that this is something we will continue to battle.  A proposal of replacing sand every 7-10 years is wise although maintenance practices can help prolong the life of the bunker.  One thing we try out best at is to skim the surface of all bunkers following winter and rain events.  This process helps remove some of that soil that washed into the sand as some soil tends to sit at the surface.  This is a time consuming task but helps prolong the life of our sand traps.  Pumping standing water out of the bunkers is a common maintenance practice that we've implemented as well.  We understand that some of our tile is damaged and has slowed the drainage process.  With pumping these specific bunkers it helps speed the process of being able to get the bunker back into shape.