Practice Bunker Repair Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jeffrey Sexton

   

   0 posts
   
   8/18/2015 3:08 PM

   Guys,
   
   I am getting ready to restore the top side edge of one of our practice bunkers because of the years of sand piling up when players hit bunker shots. The area is nothing but sand right now and when the turf does grow up through the sand it dries out rapidly because of the sandy conditions. After my repair is complete does anyone have a solution to keeping the sand from building up again? I wish I could ask the player to put out a tarp when practicing and then remove it when completed. I know this is not practical but willing to hear what other superintendents might have up their sleeves. Thanks in advance.

   
   
   
   
2. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   8/18/2015 4:08 PM

   We have in the past but not regularly enough to prevent buildup done the following:
   Blow the bunker face with back pack blowers
   Pound the face with water to wash out the sand (this may cause washouts and extra work)
   
   But we will typically strip it back and re-sod it every 3-4 years.
   
   I am definitely interested to hear what others are doing and if it works!

   
   
   
   
3. Corey Eastwood

   

   80 posts
   
   8/18/2015 4:08 PM

   Blow the sand back into the bunker as stated. 2-3 times per week will keep up with build up.

   
   Corey Eastwood CGCS, Stockton Golf & CC, Retired
   
   
4. Rocky Tharp

   

   0 posts
   
   8/21/2015 2:08 PM

   We took about 6 or so driving range mats, turned them upside down and made a square catch area for the sand to collect between the bunker and the target green. Real simple to blow the sand back into the bunker with a backpack or Buffalo blower once a week. When we get behind, a shovel is usually necessary but on average we recover about 75% of the sand blasted out of the bunker. Since the mats are made of rubber there's also no chance of a serious ricochet.
   
   Rocky Tharp
   Interbay GC
   Seattle, WA

   
   
   
   
5. Jonathan Jacques

   

   0 posts
   
   8/22/2015 8:08 PM

   Ensuring the sand in the bunker doesn't get to dry will help the sand from leaving the bunker and building up on the face. This can be done by wetting the surface of the sand either by hand watering or turning on the heads on, every few days depending on the weather.

   
   
   
   
6. Craig Moore

   

   0 posts
   
   8/23/2015 10:08 AM

   We blow the sand back into the bunker on a dry day with our backpack blowers as often as we can. We also fertilize that edge heavy with Milorganite.

   
   
   
   
7. Jack Tripp

   

   3 posts
   
   8/24/2015 3:08 PM

   Rocky Tharp said: We took about 6 or so driving range mats, turned them upside down and made a square catch area for the sand to collect between the bunker and the target green. Real simple to blow the sand back into the bunker with a backpack or Buffalo blower once a week. When we get behind, a shovel is usually necessary but on average we recover about 75% of the sand blasted out of the bunker. Since the mats are made of rubber there's also no chance of a serious ricochet.
   
   Rocky Tharp
   Interbay GC
   Seattle, WA

   
   
   Would you have a picture you could post?
   
   Thanks
   
   Jack Tripp
   La Crosse Country Club
   Onalaska, WI