Bunkers Are Not The Same

The new bunkers that we installed on the red and blue nines were constructed with the both the best new technology in bunker liners and the best sand in the industry.  The playability of the bunkers is tremendous.  Even though the new bunkers are of the highest construction quality, they are still subject to rainfall.   They do drain and dry quicker but individual bunkers will play differently for several days following a rain. 

Bunkers will play differently throughout the golf course.  Based on their size, location to the green, the amount of play that they receive and where they are located in relation to sunlight, wind and shade will all affect the playing surfaces of the bunkers..  

The photo below is an example of two bunkers, in close proximity, that might play differently.
The small bunker in front of red #1 green will likely be a bit "fluffier" than the bunker just behind it to the left of the green for two reasons.  The bunker is very small and will "catch" more balls because it is in front of the green.  Ball will roll to and accumulate in the very small area of the floor of the bunker.  Numerous golf shots will result in more disturbed sand, more footprints and increased raking.   The bunker located slightly behind and to the left of the green is located more in the shade and will slower to dry following a rainfall.   Thus, both bunkers, constructed the same and with the exact same sand will play differently. 

The video below is a good explanation of why all bunkers will not play consistently.

The aesthetics and playability of the new bunkers new bunkers are tremendous.

 

                                                          
 

Bunkers Working As Advertised

Following over an inch of rain, the new bunkers on #1 Red are functioning properly.   There is no erosion around the edges and there is no standing water. 


Below is a photo of how the old bunker looked previously after a heavy rainfall.
It was heavily eroded and mud in the bottom of the bunker

Below is how the same bunker looked today in the middle of a rain.  No erosion, no muddy contamination and no standing water. 

 Notice the standing water in the green but none in the floor of the bunker.

New Bunkers

The bunker renovation on the red and blue courses is complete.  I think you will like the way they play.  The bunkers will be drier and present more consistent playing conditions.

Red #1 bunker following a heavy rainfall
                 
Red # 1 greenside bunker before the renovation

Red # 1 greenside bunker after the renovation

Blue # 6 bunker view before the renovation

Blue # 6 bunker view after the renovation

Red # 9 bunker before the renovation

Red # 9 bunker after the renovation

New Red Bunkers

 

The photo below is an overhead view of the new bunkers at #1 Red green.
The members who played the new red bunkers last fall were very excited about the playability of finished product.

Blue Nine Bunker Progress

The red and blue nine bunker renovation is virtually complete.  The only thing left to have the blue nine bunkers for play is to make sure the sand is at the proper depths.   The sand is currently frozen and cannot be spread to the proper levels.  We will do this in the spring as soon as the sand thaws.   The red nine bunkers are ready for play.

Blue	Total #	Edged	Sod	Gravel	Polymer	Sand
Nine	Bunkers
#1	3	3	3	3	3	3
#2	4	4	4	4	4	4
#3	5	5	5	5	5	5
#4	2	2	2	2	2	2
#5	3	3	3	3	3	3
#6	9	9	9	9	9	9
#7	4	4	4	4	4	4
#8	4	4	4	4	4	4
#9	5	5	5	5	5	5
%
Complete	39	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Putting Green	2	2	2	2	2	1

Bunkers New Performance

We recently received in excess of 3 inches of rainfall over a 3 day period.   The photos below show how the new bunker technology and sand has performed in comparison to the older liners and sand.  The playability and condition of the new bunkers will be vastly improved.

The new Better Billy Bunker technology and higher grade of sand is performing very well.
There is no erosion after the recent rainfall in the red # 1 greenside bunker.

The photo below is of the same red # 1 greenside bunker before the bunker renovation.
Notice the extreme erosion and contamination.

Blue Nine Bunker Renovation

Red #4 bunker - The previous sand

Red #4 bunker- The new sand

The red nine bunker renovation is complete and the project has shifted to the blue nine.  The weather continues to impact the project to a degree.   The contractor is  continuing to work as long as the weather permits.  
The two bunkers at the short game area will be renovated upon completion of the blue nine bunkers.

Below is a progress report on the blue nine bunkers as of December 18th.

Blue	Total #	Edged	Sod	Gravel	Polymer	Sand
Nine	Bunkers
#1	3	3	3	3	2
#2	4	4	4	4	3
#3	5	5	5	5	5	4
#4	2	2	2	2	2	3
#5	3	3	3	3	3	2
#6	9	9	9	9	8	4
#7	4	4	4	4	4
#8	4	4	4	4	4
#9	5	5	5	5	5
%
Complete	39	100%	100%	100%	92%	26 %

Bunker Fact Turf

We will be installing new turf around the red and blue bunker complexes.   There were some areas where bentgrass had contaminated the bluegrass turf.  The bentgrass was unsightly & more difficult to play from. 

We will be utilizing Black Beauty fescue around the bunkers.   This is a low mowed turf that will be maintained at the same height that we previously maintained the turf.   The advantage to the fescue species is that it has improved drought tolerance and does not wilt as quickly as the bluegrass.  We are taking advantage of newer and improved turfgrass research and turf genetics.   The playability will be quite similar. 

The photo  below is of the temperature and water stressed bluegrass turf on the bunker slope

The photo below is of #6 white bunker face where we replaced the bluegrass with the fescue species several years ago.  It handles the hotter temperatures and drought very well.

Bunkers - Why Bunkers Are Not Consistent

I receive a number of questions regarding our bunkers.  The USGA video below will help answer your questions. 

Bunker Consistency

Today's expectation of a bunker has moved from it being accepted as a HAZARD to the expectation that it should at all times, and in every instance, be a perfectly manicured surface.   The USGA video below shares information and facts on why every bunker on the same course does not play the same as all the others.  Please take a look.

Bunker Consistency Factors

                 Why Do Bunkers On The Same Course Play Differently?

The September issue of Golf Digest Magazine has an article that offers a few factors involved in bunker consistency and playability.  It includes comments from Golf Course Managers at
Chambers Bay, Oakmont, Baltusrol, Oakland Hill and Pinehurst.  The playability of bunkers change daily.  Weather and course design play a huge role but below are some additional factors.

Their comments on the reasons for bunker inconsistency include:

• The type of sand, the particle size and sand depth
• The winter freezing and thawing & heavy rains
• North facing bunkers dry slower than south facing bunkers
• Bunkers change on a daily basis due to wind, sun and golfer raking
• Unless there are fried egg lies then bunkers should not be a problem
• Different shots struck at different angles & trajectories
• Different weather conditions affect drying and wetness 
• The type of sand, the particle size and sand depth
• Bunker location - the closer to greens and fairways may receive more irrigation
• The quality of construction, drainage, erosion protection & sand quality
• Different sizes and designs of bunkers - Are they open and flat or deep
• Shaded vs. sunny locations
• Closeness to greens & fairways - irrigation influences
• Mechanical vs. hand raking

     
Below are several videos related to bunker management

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_ZzffW2fbk

http://www.oxfordgreens.com/superintendents-blog/why-are-bunkers-inconsistent
  

Damp Bunkers

When the rainfall stopped in late June, it really stopped. The last three weeks have been very hot and very dry. So far, it is the hottest summer in the last 4 or 5 years at NCC. I understand that dry bunkers are the preferred playing condition and the photos below show how we have been utilizing our staff to hand water bunker faces, green surrounds, tee surrounds, and fairway drain lines to prevent over watering key in-play areas with our overhead irrigation system.

With the forecast for extended temperatures in the 90s and high heat indexes, the grass plants are subject to high evapo-transpiration rate and have to be watered or they will wilt or die. We cannot keep up with the high evapo-transpiration rates during periods of high play and extended heat periods with hand watering only measures. We will irrigate with our automatic overhead irrigation system on Friday and Saturday nights this week so the bunkers may be wet in the mornings until about 8:00 or 9:00 AM. I would like to wait until Sunday night to irrigate but the weather conditions dictate otherwise. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

Bunker Moisture

I understand that the best playing conditions are when bunkers are dry.

Except for last week, our bunkers have been wet since early June.

What has contribute to this situation?

1. It rained 12 days during June and therefore the bunkers stayed wet.

2. Last Thursday marked the first time since April first that we had a 4 day period without rain.

3. Last Tuesday through Sunday the bunkers were dry because of higher winds and no rain.

4. We had 5 days of 90 degree temperatures and the turf around the greens has to be
watered. The turf surrounding the greens is watered with the same sprinkler heads that
irrigate over the bunkers in their design sequence.

The photo below shows the sprinkler head on the right edge of the green on #3 red. The pink designs represent the patter of irrigation throw that the sprinkler delivers. This sprinkler rotates 180 degrees from the edge of the green out, therefore covering the turf outside the green. Unfortunately, the same sprinkler delivers water to the bunker area in its rotation. We will do our best to kep the bunkers as dry as possible.