Bunker Project Update Week 8

Bunker Project Update

As we finish week 8 of construction the end is in sight!!  All of the bunkers have now had gravel installed and have been sprayed with the polymer.  The last step is to get sand in the final 11 bunkers and finish some sod wok on 18.  If the weather holds up we should be done with the bunkers by opening day on April 13^th.  The project went very smoothly, especially since the contractor dedicated a ton of labor resources allowing us to stay ahead of schedule.  Working with John LaFoy has been awesome.  His diligent work prior to construction allowed us to accurately estimate and budget the materials we would need so we wouldn’t be socked with cost overruns.  The new look at JRCC has helped to rejuvenate the property and allows us to put our best foot forward for the membership and any guests that play our course.

Moving forward there will still be a lot of work, and some inconvenience, as we grow in the newly sodded areas and fine tune our bunker raking program.  In order to keep the new sod alive we will be doing a lot of watering which will soften the turf areas around the bunkers in addition to keeping the sand wetter than we would like.  Approaches won’t be as firm as usual and carts will need to be cautious around the new bunkers.

On the grow-in portion of the project we will be letting the sod grow and not doing any edging of the bunkers for a few months.  They will look a little shaggier than what we are used to, but we want to get the turf established and knit in before we do any mechanical removal of turf that could damage the liner.  Also, there will be some weeds in the grass, especially during the green up.  Herbicide does a lot of damage to Bermuda when it is trying to green up.  Once it is well established, we will spray out the weeds.  I am sure not all of the sod will survive that we laid this winter so any pieces that don’t green up will be re-sodded.

The project has eliminated the old bunker liner, fixed bunkers that were previously holding water, provided a new consistent playing medium that will not wash out during heavy rain events, and given the property a whole new look.  JRCC continues to invest in its property for the long term enjoyment of their membership.