Materials availability for bunker projects?

[Mark_Fine]

Bunkers sand availability was an issue and to some extent still is but now I am hearing that the polymer used in the Better Billy Bunker process is in very tight supply.  I am nervous about a fall project.  What does this group know and/or are hearing out there?   

[Jon Sweet]

Bunkers sand availability was an issue and to some extent still is but now I am hearing that the polymer used in the Better Billy Bunker process is in very tight supply.  I am nervous about a fall project.  What does this group know and/or are hearing out there?

What about the heard of elephants suggested in the other thread??? Bet they’re hard to find.

[Mark_Fine]

Is there another thread about this topic? 

[Jon Sweet]

Is there another thread about this topic?

Poor attempt at humor or maybe better defined as an inside joke. We had a thread regarding bunkers, lips, conditions, and so forth. Mr. Doak suggest McDonald said they should look like a herd of elephants trampled through them.
Others disagreed.
Figured I’d go for a cheap laugh.

[Alan FitzGerald CGCS MG]

I'm researching sands for a project here in the spring.


I was told VFB is out completely for the next 12-18 months, which sucks as the quarry is so close. Its looking like some of the other options are selling out fast. The cost of VFB has nearly doubled in the last year or so and the alternatives are even pricier.


I don't know about BBB but the cost of Blinders polymer has slowly gone up since Jan1 and coupled with the exchange rate to the UK and the increased shipping costs, the cost of the last load I brought in was up 10%....


In one swoop the cost of the project went up $300000!

[Mark_Fine]

Thanks Alan.  I know very well about the VFB sand issues.  Had bunkers at two projects sitting waiting for promised loads of sand for months 


Regarding the polymer, now I am hearing not only the cost is going up but availability is very limited.  Rumor is they might go to a different product/source and who knows what impact that will have on the finished product? 

[Tom_Doak]

Talk about a first world problem!

[Thomas Dai]

Sand availability is apparently becoming an issue in the U.K.
I’ve heard that lots and lots of the stuff is being used in the building of a new railway line heading to/from London and places further north.
Supply and demand and priority and availability and price.
And for golf it’s not just sand for bunkers but sand for top-dressing etc too and the latter is likely more important than the former.
Atb

[Mark_Fine]

Very little if anything we talk about here is all that important in the scheme of things.  However, little things like sand availability or other materials needed for golf course construction can seriously delay/disrupt projects.  I have one coming up this fall that will essentially be put on hold for a year if the materials can’t be guaranteed.  It happens and the world will keep spinning 

[Tom_Doak]

I am just amazed that there is so much restoration going on that the world is running out of perfect bunker sand and special polymers to build them all. 


Also, funny how none of those materials were required to build the holes originally.

[Mark_Fine]

Tom,
I am with you, I don’t like and rarely if ever unless pushed to do so, use bunker liners.  I have used sod in bunkers on a recent project but that was for a number of reasons.  The reason I asked about the polymer is the super on an upcoming project is demanding it.  What can you do?  It might not be available anyway and we will go with an alternative.  I would prefer to use none.  Well designed, well drained bunkers generally are fine without it in my opinion. 


What has changed in 100 years?  You know answer.  Bunkers are no longer hazards.  Golfers want perfect conditions and no unpredictable lies.  Same reason the sand has to be just right.  We all do our best to change that perception but it is not easy. Unfortunately that is one thing none of us are very good at restoring 

[Ally Mcintosh]

There is a pinch-point right now on supply of almost all construction materials (I don’t mean just golf).


Steel is running at +60% cost, lumber has increased hugely, there is a shortage on many electrical components etc…

[Jeff Schley]

There is a pinch-point right now on supply of almost all construction materials (I don’t mean just golf).


Steel is running at +60% cost, lumber has increased hugely, there is a shortage on many electrical components etc…

I can vouch for this wholeheartedly, as why my builder was jacking up my quote since the beginning of the year for a house I'm building. They are one of the biggest builders in Texas and not only are materials hard now to get, but the futures pricing was scaring everyone. Thankfully lumber has come down quite a bit since May.

[jeffwarne]

I am just amazed that there is so much restoration going on that the world is running out of perfect bunker sand and special polymers to build them all.