Work Commencing to Lower Problematic Bunker Lips

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Buildup of Sand between old varsity bunker and green.


Using an excavator to lower the bunker lip at the old varsity area.



Sand buildup on green side of bunker due to heavy use



Beginning to scrape off the sand build-up

At this point in the bunker, about two feet of sand has accumulated on top of the old lip. Shown is the old soil level.

Following the work at the range, the work will proceed to greens #6, #7, and #8 where we have similar problems. #19 green will be the last one to be done.

Friday's Images - The Good, Bad, and Ugly!

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Rainbow over #2 Green


#5 Green



#13 Green




Fallen Coast Live Oak Between #12 and #13



Same tree between #12 & #13. It was weakened as half of the main trunk had split off two years ago. With the open wound, decay was able to attack the heartwood weakening the tree.


Some of the soft, rotten heartwood of the fallen tree. Termites are visible, further breaking down the wood.

Another broken limb from a Coast Live Oak left of #7 tee.

Winds reached 50 mph this morning.

How Bunker Sand Becomes Contaminated

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Washouts like this one from heavy rainfall contribute to bunker sand contamination. Each successive washout carries underlying silts and clays into the sand in the bottom of the bunker. This is a big reason the bottoms of the bunkers tend to firm up. Deep cultivation is often required to improve playability.

Fortunately when doing new bunker construction, there are now many choices available to seal off the underlying soils. Most methods use polymers to lock the soil into an impervious shell, sort of like a swimming pool bottom.




This photo shows the darkening in the bottom of the bunker where the silts and clays have been deposited. Over time, these will inhibit drainage and create puddling from even the slightest rainfall or irrigation event. Unfortunately, the only way to completely correct this contamination is by removal of the sand, sealing the bottom of the bunker, and then adding clean new sand.

Frost Damage on #3

This photo shows some recent tracking to the right of #3 green. A cart drove over the turf when it was frozen. Luckily the frost wasn't severe and the damage is primarily cosmetic. But it illustrates why we can't allow carts out on frosty mornings.

Drainage Additons on Holes #16 & #17

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New French Drains were added recently on #16 & #17. Drains are left open to the surface for maximum effectiveness. The grass will slowly grow over the gravel. I don't like to sod over drains because it adds an layer of soil and organic matter on top of the gravel, slowing the infiltration.

Free relief from French Drains is given in the Rules of Golf. It is nearest point of relief, then drop within one club length, no nearer the hole.

Link To Power Point Presentation on Bunkers

Please check out this Power Point presentation on the challenges facing the maintenance staff with the bunkers on the Stanford Golf Course.


http://www.stanford.edu/~golfsupt/2010-2011%20Bunker%20Issues.pptx