1 blue bunker project update

We have finished the project and you can see from the before and after pictures below that it has made a difference.

New sod areas

We sodded the areas next to 3 gold and 6 blue greens once again. This time we should have much better luck after removing the Pin Oak trees in those areas. I have also tried a new system with small stakes without ropes to keep carts on the path. If the small stakes continue to work then I will start using them in other areas to help control cart traffic in critical areas.

1 blue bunker project update

This is the week of May 10th and the project is coming together. We had rain come into the area today slowing the progress but we are still optimistic about being finished this week.

1 blue bunker project update

This is the left side bunkers and the one on the right side. We have Doug Myslinski coming in this week from Jacobson Golf Course Design to put his finishing touches on the traps.

1 blue bunker project update

Here are two more pictures of the project ending the last week of April, I can't believe April is over.

1 blue bunker construction

This project started with a discussion about the White Pine damage on the left side of the hole from the heavy snows from last winter. I was asked to contact our golf course architect to schedule a visit to help us consider new bunkering in the area or if we should just plant some new trees. It was recommended to add bunkers to improve the overall hole and the board decided to go ahead with the project.

This picture was taken on April 19th at the beginning of the project.

This picture was taken today April 21st

Fried Egg Lies

Red nine bunker edging:

I played golf today and realized that we have fried egg lies around the bunker edges. Each spring we edge and push the sand up onto the edge of the bunkers causing the edges to get soft. This is a normal practice and the edges will get firm again soon.

I can tell you that I was 1 over par on the red nine until I had a very and I mean very fried egg lie on 8 red. I walked away from that green being 5 over par and felt like I better explain to all of you why the edges are soft. It also reafirms my beliefs that it is extremely important for golf course superintendents to play golf. By playing we get to see how the course is playing from a players point of view - even the bad stuff.

John