The Test!

This past weekend our golf course was put to the test, more specifically the bunkers.  We did have some good rains last fall that tested the durability as well as functionality of our new bunkers but, this past Saturday evening was the best test to date.  Heavy rains fell over the evening to a total of 2".  These types of rains would set us so far back with needing to pump water and rake a lot of sand back up the faces from washouts.  As I told a few members, "this could have been the first time driving to the club and being excited about having 2" of rain overnight".  The storms put the bunkers to the test but also gave some much needed moisture as we were pretty dry.  I've shared the included photos with the Grounds and Greens Committee and feeling they should be shared with everyone.  The project was done to help increase the functionality of the bunkers but also to eliminate the drastic amount of labor needed following rain events.  These pictures show although not a 100% fix, at least 95% of what we were hoping to accomplish.  Very minimal washouts and standing water that drained very quickly, no longer 2-3 days of bunkers having water in them. 

Left side 16 grn bunker.  Notice the washout around the edge as well as the standing water.

Same bunker as above, no washout around the edge and very minimal amount of water in the bottom.  Water was gone in a matter of hours.

Right side 16 grn bunker.  Severe washout around the edge of the bunker.  Notice the color difference in the sand, water sat in this bunker to this level and would take a few days to completely drain if we didn't pump out.

Same bunker as above.  Yes water setting in bunker but like the left side it drained rather fast.  Notice no washout along the edge, some sand slide but can be cleaned up quickly by 1 Grounds Staff member.

Fwy bunker on #1.  This bunker was notorious to be filled with water and have that water there for days.  Again, slight amount of water in the bottom but dried a few hours later.  And, no washouts.

This is a photo to show that we do still have some washout at times, but the key here is that it is very minimal.  Before this bunker would washout along the whole face and take 3-4 guys about 30-60 minutes to reclaim.  This can be done by one guy in the matter of a few minutes.  This trap also held water for a few days, very minimal water in the bottom and it dried rather quick.

The guys are wrapping up today with smoothing out all the bunkers, so that leg of the process is complete.  Next we will be using mechanical tampers to compact the sand which will help reduce the risk for plugged lies in the bunkers.  We can't guarantee that there will never be a fried egg but we are going to try our best.  It will take some help from Mother Nature to assist in getting the sand settled and firmed up and a rain like this is a good assistance.  Some may ask, why if we replaced all the drainage is there still water in the traps?  This is the result of the levels in the drainage system.  We obviously have the larger mainlines throughout the course where then there are lines tied into them and lines tied into those lines tied into the mainlines.  Bunkers are far up that chain of command and thus being slower to drain.  A good example is leaving a parking lot of a Bears or a Bulls game.  Imagine the parking lot is the bunker and either Lakeshore Dr/55 or 290 is the mainline drainage.  Until people get out onto those and get moving the parking lot is backed up and it takes some time to get out.  This is the exact case for the water in the bunkers.

The rain has made things too wet to mow so we are concentrating on detail tasks today.  Frankie is out working on edging and refreshing crushed red granite paths while Luis is cleaning under the pines at 15 tee.  Moe continues to attack any encroaching Poa on the greens by plugging it out and replacing the void with fresh A1/A4 plugs from our nursery.  Jorge spent the morning working on edging sprinkler heads around greens and approaches before heading off to work on mowing greens this afternoon.  I happy for days like these cause it forces us to address tasks that are further down the priority list at the time being especially with the grass growing at the rate it is.  We'll wrap this entry up with some photos from today's tasks:

Frankie working on the red granite area at 6 grn/ 7 tee

Finished product at 3 ladies tee

Sprinkler heads edged at 6 grn.  Important to keep these cleaned as grass will grow over and interfere with spray patterns but also a ball could come to rest and someone not seeing the head takes a full swing and do extensive damage to themselves and to the sprinkler head.

Poa removal at the back of 1 green.  We have seen some small Poa encroachment so we are manually removing it to keep it out of the greens and collars.

Luis' work at the Pine grove along 15 tee.  We'll be placing some ferns in among the Azaleas this spring as ferns enjoy a shady environment.