On The Edge

Many golfers are surprised to learn that following greens, sand bunkers are often the next most labor-intensive features on a golf course.  In addition to normal raking, there are several other maintenance practices that our bunkers require.  As per our maintenance standards, mowing and trimming bunker slopes will be performed a minimum of one time per week throughout the growing season.  Slopes are push-mowed to a height of 3”.  The grass/sand interface is string trimmed to maintain a crisp and neat transition.  Another practice that is required when managing bunkers to the highest level, is maintaining the bunker edge.  At a minimum of once per season, bunker banks are probed to locate the original bunker edge.  Once the edge is located, any encroaching sod is cut back to within 2” of the bunker edge, and then rolled down over the edge, completely covering the lip.  Leaving this 2” of sod creates a buffer between the bunker sand and the soil edge, thereby protecting the lip from eroding and contaminating the bunker sand, while also maintaining the intent and integrity of the original bunker shape and design.  The final step in the annual bunker-edging process is to evaluate the sand depth.  Sand will be added and/or redistributed as needed throughout the bunker to maintain a consistent depth and fair playing conditions.

You may see the crew conducting this bunker edging process during your golf round in the coming weeks.  Should your ball land in a bunker while maintenance is being performed, please play the entire bunker as Ground Under Repair.

Prepared by, Curtis Keller