Reserve Club Update - Bunker sand

      This past week at the Reserve Club we have been able to begin a bunker restoration project. We plan to restore multiple bunkers on the course over the next several weeks. The first bunker that we completed was the pot bunker near #5 green.
      The restoration project starts by removing all of the old sand from the bunker. The old sand is removed to prevent contamination of the fresh sand. We remove the sand until we reach the native soil.
      The next step is to begin adding the new sand. We add the sand at a depth of four inches. This is the standard USGA bunker sand depth. As we add the sand we are constantly tamping as we progress. The tamping helps to compact the sand, therefore reducing the chance of washouts. Below is a picture of Assistant Superintendent Michael Gore tamping the sand.

     Here is a picture of the finished bunker.

   
      Although easy to demonstrate and narrate, this is not an simple job. Re sanding a bunker is extremely labor intensive and time consuming. A small to medium bunker may take a full day complete. We plan to continue this project throughout the summer and fall. We will be addressing the bunkers in a priority based order. Continue checking the blog for updates from the Agronomy team at St. James.