Renovation update

We are making excellent progress in the bunker renovation project on the fourth hole. I thought I would share a few pictures that I had on my computer that displayed what the hole looked like before the project was initiated. I especially like the oldest picture that includes the dead maples that were removed from along the cart path. The hole looks so much better without them.


We have removed all of the sand that has been contaminated with silt and clay over the years as a result of the flooding and washouts that occur every time it rains. As we cleaned the bottom of the bunker we discovered two old drain lines. The original terra cotta still worked up until it was cut by the most recent drain that was installed with the new irrigation system. The new pipe was completely filled with sand, but thankfully the water is still able to move through the stone which will prevent the hole from filling up until we can install the new drainage.


We have established a rough outline of the bunker edge and are working on shaping the floor of the bunker, which will determine exactly where the new drains will be installed. The new bunker will be deeper, wider, and closer to the edge of the green. This will be more challenging for some golfers, but at least you will have a fair opportunity to recover from a predicable lie. I am confident that the new design will also add interest and challenge to a fairly short hole.


Once the area has dried we will resume shaping the features and begin work on the final drainage design. I hope to have this completed by the end of next week. Once this is complete we will remove the remaining turf from the work area, reshape the features to provide adequate surface drainage, and then install the subsurface drains and catch basins. The final design will account for future renovation work and drainage from the right hand bunker, which will be completed at a later date. Once the drainage is installed and the final shaping is complete we will order the sod, hopefully by early November. I am considering a couple of different sand sources, and have not decided when I would like to add the sand. There is no rush as the bunker will remain closed until after the sod is established, which may take all winter depending on the weather.