Bunker construction: Ross style/character

[Scott Witter]

We are on the verge (September 13) of starting a reconstruction of bunkers at a nice quiet private club.  Their current bunkers are "municipal" looking and playing at best, they know this and I have made no bones about telling them this.

Okay, so my direction and the club supports it all the way, is to redesign and build the bunkers and add 20 new ones, to a golden age look and playability of a Ross style and character such as we have all around the club at no less than 5 other Ross courses.  This club was built in 1929, designed by an engineer, the only course he ever did, solid routing, but poor individual hole design.

So, my question is how best, (I have my own thoughts on this) using the most practical method if possible, (the club does have a budget I must adhere to) does my contractor build them and achieve the often used steep faced Ross roll near the sand line?  Is our only realistic approach to use fescue sod stacked for about 5 to 7 layers and add the last sod over the top of those and roll it steeply to the sand.  I am somewhat concerned about the stability of the face if we don't do the sod stacking, but this technique will add considerable costs to the budget!

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Pat K]

Scott,
        First, there are several types of bunkers on Ross courses. To say there is a singlar prototype bunker would be mistake.
         Why not shape your bunker with a good soil and hydroseed with a fescue blend. It works great, holds up the best and is the least expensive method.
                        good luck.
The stacked sod method  looks a little contrived often on this side of the ocean.

[Scott Witter]

Pat,

I'm aware of the many styles/techniques Ross used, that is not my issue in this case and the specifics are not so critical... as I was only looking for experiences from others who have worked with the look I described.

I have several pictures of bunkers that were rebuilt at two other Ross courses in our area that I would love to post as examples of what I am trying to achieve, but I am not sure how to post pictures.  These would help a lot.

Good soil is relative depending on your perspective and hydro- seeding can be effective, ("holds up the best") I'm not convinced of that, I have done it before during better projected weather patterns, but here in the northeast, and not starting the project until September 13 and with 73 bunkers in the scope of work doesn' t leave much room for the poor weather we will inevitably get as later fall approaches.  In the end, the Owner wouldn't have a chance without sodding the slopes and surrounds.

Thanks for the response anyway

[Kyle Harris]

Scott,

You may want to look into sandbagging the edge of the bunker and then rolling soil and sod over that. This will serve to shore up the sand/grass boundary from water and foot traffic, and also prevent the soil from settling after you've laid the sod, cause your bunker to cave in. It also helps with flashing the sand up a bit to the lip.

If you are attempting to build them into the bases of grass faced mounds, you can just continue your mound over the sand bags.

Here is a picture of some in-progress work from Schuylkill CC.



Note how the sandbags sit at the future boundary of the sand and grass and then how the sod lays over them.

[Scott Witter]

Kyle,

Thank you very much.  That is precisely what I am talking about and I have used the soil filled sand bag technique in the past.  It is very effective to achieve what I want and I like it for many reasons, one of which it can allow me to get a "rougher" look to the edge rather than the smoother look in the example you included, but it too can be costly from a labor standpoint...unfortunately, this may be what is needed.

Say, for future reference, do you know who the conractor is doing this project?  You can drop me an e-mail if you want.  I like the generous use of drainage as well.

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