12/19/2022 7:12 AM
Contemplating eliminating having rakes in the bunkers. As about 50% of those who walk through or play from bunkers do not care enough to rake their tracks, why bother with rakes? With no bunker rakes in 2020 due to Covid, we saw then that they really are not necessary. Bunkers are supposed to be hazards and be a penalty anyway, not pristinely groomed like the beaches of the Riviera. Some photos can be seen on our Facebook page, Bear Slide Golf Club Grounds Maintenance.
We need about $500 worth of rakes to replace those broken last season. This morning, the pro and I have agreed to keep the number of rakes in the bunkers near the greens the same, and reduce the amount in some fairway bunkers, and eliminate the rakes from the fairway bunkers that get little or no play. We will then not order replacement rakes for next season.
Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN