Bunker Project Underway

McDonald & Sons golf course builders started work last week to complete the final phase of our greenside bunker renovation. Work commenced on the large bunker to the left of 12 green and by weeks end all four greenside bunkers on 12 and 13 had the old sand and drainage removed. Three of the four also had new drainage and the gravel layer installed. As you will recall from the past two years, the gravel layer will be sprayed with a polymer that binds the stone together creating a permanent barrier and drainage layer. We will notify you as to when this will be done because it is important to stay out of the bunkers for 24 hours to let it cure. Currently the plan is to apply the polymer in two phases, 12 - 15 when they are ready, then 16 - 18 upon completion.


The sand that was removed from the greenside bunkers is being added to some of our larger fairway bunkers. McDonald & Sons dumps the sand and our crew spreads and grades it. Although there is some contamination in the old sand, it will help in some of the fairway bunkers that are slow to drain or don't have enough sand depth. In the coming years we will be turning our attention to the fairway bunkers with our capital improvement plans.


Remember that all recently installed sand, whether it is new sand or old sand that has been re-used, will need some time to settle and firm up. Please enter and exit bunkers from the lower, flat side in order to not leave large foot prints. Even after the sand has settled, if you walk up a steep slope you will leave deep footprints. This is due to the angle rather than the depth of sand. All of the new bunkers are checked on a regular basis and maintained with a four inch depth. Occasionally, due to usage and maintenance, additional sand is needed in order to attain a four inch depth. Over the winter we added a couple of inches to some of the bunkers we renovated last year because there was less than four inches.

Excess soil being removed during demolition of old bunker.



Bunker floor being shaped after old sand and liner removal.

With dry weather this final phase of bunker work will take about four weeks to complete during which time the bunkers on 12 - 18 will be in various stages of construction. We will also be adding sand to and grading some of the fairway bunkers on 17 and 18. In order to keep making progress we will not be able to completely stop work for every group that plays through. Please pardon the disturbance while we complete this important course improvement.