Bunker Washouts

This is a topic of controversy for most Golf Clubs that reside in tropical climate of the country. We are talking about bunker washouts. Golf course design has evolved from the days of Tom Morris to be much more pleasing tothe eye in the modern world today. We have gone for more of an aesthetic look in the modern world instead of natural winding golf holes carved out of the existing land. In doing this the demand has been put on the designers to come up with interesting and creative ways to show flashes of sand and/or severe slopes. The side effects of doing so, results in tough maintenance practices on the agronomy team.

Below you will find some pictures that were taken recently during the end of May and beginning of June. Some included below are of the newly renovated bunkers on #18. See if you can spot the differences.



Minimal wash in this renovated bunker on #18




The washouts in this bunker are a result of all the water from the top of the hill behind the bunker rushing in at once.




Lake Bunker!
Build up of fines in the sand have prevented this bunker from properly draining.




Renovated bunker with no wash after a 1.5" rain. Bunker liner and fresh sand allowed for proper drainage.




Renovated bunker on #18 as well. This one faired o.k. Once again, a result of design, allowing the water to run into the bunker instead of away.




Here we have one of our renovated bunkers that took on the rain with great success. Notice the dead grass clippings, or chaff as we like to call it. That is the highest point in which the water rose before draining off.




This is a result of a comprimising design. Notice the grass slid down into the bunker from all the rain. This happens when water is channeled from the top of the bunker slope down into the bunker.




Bunker #18 left of green. This picture was taken 3 days after a 1.5' rain. The cause of the water standing in the bunker after 3 days is a result of fine dirt and silt build up in the bunker sand profile. Over time the build increased to a point were it created a partial seal over top of the drainage pipe.