Bunkers...

Bunkers are always a talked about area of the golf course. Over time, due to washouts from heavy rains and the moving of sand from the machine rake, thin areas appear.

Currently, we are beginning to check sand depths in the greens side bunkers.  Not only are we adding new sand to the thin areas, but moving sand from areas with an abundance of sand to the areas that are in need of additional sand.  Once green side bunkers are completed we will target the fairway bunkers.

The goal is to have a consistent depth of sand in all of the bunkers, with 4 inches in the flat areas and 2 inches on the sides.  This process will take time to complete with 65 bunkers throughout the golf course, but is much needed!


 

Mowing Patterns

Many of you may have noticed some new mow patterns throughout the golf course.  Numerous fairway bunkers are located 20-30 feet from the fairway out in the rough.  In an effort to bring some of the fairway bunkers into play a little more, we have extended the fairway all the way to the edge of the bunker.  This change in mowing has occurred on #10, #11 and #15.

In addition, we have enlarged a few approach areas.  A majority of the approaches bottle neck in very narrow to the green complex.  We have extended approach mowing on #6, #12 and #16.  This change now places the small pot bunkers in the middle of the approach, rather than in the rough off to the side of the approach.

All of these areas were aerified, overseeded and sanded to promote dense, healthy turf prior to the lowering of the mowing heights.  Below are photos of the new approach area on #16 and the fairway on #11.

Spring is here!

The month of April kicks off the season for maintenance practices on the golf course.  All greens, tees, approaches and fairways have been aerified and sanded.  This cultural practice is very important in promoting turf health.  A few benefits from aerification include, thatch removal, reduction in compaction, improving drainage and allowing oxygen to the root zone.