Bunker project update

The bunker project continues to go smooth.  So far the greenside bunkers on 16, 18, 1 thru 5 and 7 thru 9 all have sand in them.  The gravel was sprayed with the polymer in 10 thru 13 yesterday and sand is getting installed in those bunkers today.  The old material was removed and drainage repaired in the bunker on 14 yesterday and gravel was installed.

Frost Delay

We do have a frost delay this morning.  Given the consistent cold weather yesterday combined with the fact that the skies cleared overnight is making for a fairly heavy frost this morning.  The temperature is currently about 31 degrees.
 

#7 Front Bunker

We expanded the front edge of the front bunker on #7. Here are before and after pictures. 

Before

After

Bunker Project Update

It has been a few days since I posted anything. As of this morning the bunkers on 1,2,7,8,9,16 and 18 are finished. The bunkers on 3,4 and 5 are ready for sand. 6,10,11,12 and part of 13 are cleaned out. Depending on the weather the plan is to get gravel in the bunkers that are cleaned out through the weekend and possibly spray polymer Monday afternoon depending on progress. 

Sand installation in #2

Drainage in #6

Drainage and new shape of #12

#12 extended toward green by a couple feet and toward the tee a few feet 

More Bunkers Sprayed

On Monday the 20th the gravel layer in the bunkers on 2 thru 5 was sprayed with the polymer.  Clean-out of the bunker on 6 continued Monday as well.  Sand is getting installed in the bunkers on 7 and 8 today.

More Sand

The bunkers on 16, 18, 9, 1 and the back bunker on 7 all have sand in them.  The bunkers on 2, 3, and 4 have gravel and clean-out is in process on 5.

We Have Sand in 16 and 18

Sand installation is complete in 16 and 18 greenside bunkers. 6 inches of sand is put in the bunkers and then is compacted down to 4 inches using a vibratory plate compactor. 

Right front bunker on 16 finished with new sand. 

Front bunker on 18. The plate compactor is packing the sand from a 6 inch depth to a 4 inch depth. 

1st Set of Bunkers Sprayed

Yesterday, Forefront Construction completed the polymer application to the gravel layer in the bunkers on 1, 7, 8, 9, 16 and 18.  The cure time on the gravel before sand installation can start is 24 hours.  The plan for today is to keep installing gravel in the bunkers that are cleaned out (2,3,4) and this afternoon start sand installation in the bunkers that got sprayed yesterday.  

#8 left bunker

#8 right bunker

#1 bunker

#7 front bunker

#7 front bunker

Polymer Spraying of Gravel Layer

The first set of bunkers are getting sprayed today with the polymer.  It takes 24 hours to cure before sand can be installed in the bunkers. 

Front Bunker #4

A lot of members have expressed they are having trouble getting in and out of the deep bunkers on #4. We are extending the front of the front bunker toward the fairway about 5 feet softening the step in and out. This should make the step down and back up much less severe. 

Bunker Project Status Update

The work on the bunkers is progressing smoothly and on schedule to this point.  As of this morning the removal of old sand and liner, drainage repair and gravel layer installation is complete on holes 16, 18 and 1.  The bunkers on holes 2, 7, 8 and 9 are cleaned out and are ready for drainage completion and gravel layer installation.  Old material removal is taking place on hole 3 presently.  Additional drainage has been added in the right front bunker on 16.  The bunker on 9 and the right side bunker on 7 are receiving additional drainage added as well where none existed.  Once the gravel layer is installed in the first 9 holes of bunkers, the plan is to spray the polymer in those bunkers.  The polymer needs 24 hours to cure before sand installation can happen.

Bunkers #7

The front bunker on 7 looks to have shrunk so we are re-establishing the edge. The right side bunker on 7 has a stretch of drainage that needed to be installed where none existed before. 

Cutting a new edge on the front bunker #7

Edging front of 7

Digging the trench for the new drain line in the right bunker #7, where none existed before

Gravel layer

The gravel layer is installed on the 2 greenside bunkers on 16, the greenside bunkers on 18 and the bunker on 1.  The bunkers on 7 are currently being cleaned out and 2 will be next. The gravel layer will be installed following clean-out and drainage. 

Installing gravel in 18 bunker to a 2 inch depth

Back bunker on 18 with gravel layer complete

Spreading Gravel

Gravel is getting spread in the bunkers today to a depth of 2 inches.

18 green back bunker

Bunker update

With almost 3 days of work complete our contractor, Forefront Construction is moving along well on the bunkers.  The old sand and liner is cleaned out on the bunkers on 16, 18, 9, 1 and 8.  They are checking and repairing the drains within the bunkers as they go.  Currently work is going on in the bunkers on 7 green.  Within the next day or 2, the contractor will start putting gravel into the bunkers getting them ready to be sprayed with the polymer.

Bunker Drainage

All the bunkers have an internal drainage system which collects the water that enters the bunker and carries it out of the bunker. There are different types of drainage systems but most bunkers consist of 4 inch perforated pipe laid in trenches surrounded by pea gravel.  An important part of the bunker renovation project is making sure the internal drainage is clean and working properly.  The bunker floor and the drainage are all designed to carry water out of the bunker.  The size and shape of the bunker determines how much internal drainage is needed.  Proper drainage only happens when the internal drainage system is free flowing and properly graded "downhill."

4 inch perforated pipe surrounded by pea gravel

drainage trenches without gravel or pipe

using a hose to flush the drain pipe exiting the bunker

Bunker work has begun

Today the contractor arrived on site and started working on hole16 and hole18 greenside bunkers.  Part of the process will be restoring some of the bunkers to their original size and shape.  Over time because of multiple factors including maintenance techniques and weather bunkers shapes will gradually change.  The material getting removed from the bunkers will be stockpiled in various out of the way location around the golf course.  We will then use it for projects such as, topdressing roughs and possibly fairways, smoothing drain and irrigation lines in fairways, and filling sinkholes around lakes.

edging the bunker with shovels

edging the bunker

restoring the bunker to original shape

removing old sand from bunker

Bunker Renovation

We are pleased to announce that the long awaited and much needed greenside bunker renovation is scheduled to start next week, the week of January 6th.  The greenside bunkers shall be fully renovated while the fairway bunkers will have additional sand added to them.  We researched many types of bunker construction available and found that the one that best suits our needs with the difficult climate we live in; wind, heavy rain, extreme drought conditions, etc. is the Better Billy Bunker Method.  Please go to the following link to find additional information about this exciting construction technique where pictures, methods and testimonials are found.  http://billybunker.com/

The renovation is a multiple step process as follows:
1) re-establish the original bunker edge, which may include sod work in some areas
2) remove the existing bunker sand and stockpile in out of the way areas on the golf course to be used for various projects
3) replace internal drainage system
4) install 2 inch layer of gravel throughout entire bunker
5) spray the gravel layer with a polymer, which binds the gravel together but also allows for water flow
6) install new bunker sand to a compacted depth of 4 inches

On contractor, Forefront Construction, plans on a phased construction in which one-third to one-half of the bunkers are under construction at one time.  The application of the polymer is most efficient when there are multiple bunkers getting sprayed at the same time.  The entire process is expected to take approximately two months, dependent upon weather and course functions which means all work should be complete by the end of February.  The new greenside bunkers should withstand rain events much better and be playable much quicker after rain events.  The polymerized gravel layer allows for extremely quick drainage as well as providing a barrier between the sand and native clay soils of the bunker to greatly reduce the rate of sand contamination.  The Better Billy Bunker has proven successful on courses that experience rain events similar to ours.  It allows the water to penetrate the sand and flow into the gravel layer where it then moves to the internal drainage  system on the bunker floor and then into the drain line which carries it out of the bunker.  Because the water actually moves down the faces of the bunkers through the gravel layer and not the sand, the bunkers should not experience the same amount of washouts they currently have when we experience heavy rains.  This coupled with quickly drying sand will produce bunkers, which are repaired and playable much quicker after rain events.

We will keep you updated on the progress of the project.