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Bill Overdorf

Sod faced bunkers
« on: December 07, 2002, 08:25:51 PM »
What do you have to lend regarding use of sod faced bunkers - their life span and associated maintenance woes?  ???
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Sod faced bunkers
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2002, 08:51:55 PM »
Bill,

I would be anxious to hear from members of The Medalist where a good number of their bunkers have sod faces/walls.

Especially since they are subjected to heavy summer rains, as well as heat and humiditiy.

Every time I've played there they seem to be in excellent condition.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Joel_Stewart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sod faced bunkers
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2002, 09:06:29 PM »
Pat:
I think Greg Norman has eliminated all of the sod faced bunkers at Medalist because what Bill is mentioning costs and limited life span.  
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Patrick_Mucci

Re: Sod faced bunkers
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2002, 09:20:00 PM »
Joel,

As of last winter he hadn't but perhaps the work he did over the summer included changes to the bunkers.  
I'll be visiting The Medalist in march/april of 2003, but perhaps someone who has played it recently can fill us in.

 Are they still there ?  And to what degree ?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Slag_Bandoon

Re: Sod faced bunkers
« Reply #4 on: December 10, 2002, 07:58:15 AM »
Bill,  Good question but I can only think of one course that has revetted bunkers in the Northwest - Bandon Dunes.  Perhaps you could call/email Course Superintendant Ken Nice for the skinny.  

 James B. Beard claims they last for hundreds of years but I'm not sure if he was just tossing out a number.  Also suggests fescue sod for root structure characteristics.

  How's Chuckanut GC coming along?  
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Bill Overdorf

Re: Sod faced bunkers
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2002, 09:04:24 PM »
;D Hi Slag - Nice of you to inquire about Chuckanut. We have experienced more than our share of hold-ups due to an environmentally sensitive group entitled "Habitat Watch" (Kind of defines their mission at the least). They appealed the last Special Use Permit extension but were rejected, then appealed and appealed, ad infinitum. So far the county has told them to take a hike but as is typical they die hard.

Most of the clearing has been done although we have many piles that have yet to be burned. The developer had a permit in hand for clearing and grading but of course without the Special Use Permit, such issuances were moot, so cleaaring was done under a separate agreement, but started late in the year with the result that fall weather caught us (after a summer of major drought that precluded burning). Am I rambling?

Current conditions seem to indicate that we should be able to begin grading perhaps in February or March. There is a lot of work to be done but with about 52 acres of scattered wetlands we must exercise caution of the first order. As it is, the engineer is conducting turbidity sampling on at least a monthly schedule so we don't incur the DNR's close attention to such matters. :-/ :-/

Where can you be found under typical conditions? I have witnessed many of your GCA postings. Drop me an email sometime.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

Slag_Bandoon

Re: Sod faced bunkers
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2002, 02:37:26 PM »

Quote

Where can you be found under typical conditions?

  In the rough.

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »

RJ_Daley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sod faced bunkers
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2002, 02:59:09 PM »
Bill, I think a very interesting study would be to examine the wear and tear, side by side by comparison of the bunkers that were constructed at Arcadia Bluffs.  That unique course has a very interesting bunker design scheme.  The bunkers inside the fairway lines and greenside are a modified sod wall design, and the bunkers outside the mowing lines in the roughs are scab like MacKenzie bunkers.  To compare their relative wear and tear and need for maintenance after some 3-4 years since the course opened may be instructive.  I have not seen the course for 2 years now, but will be forwarding by e-mail some example pictures for your examination.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

Jim_Kennedy

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Sod faced bunkers
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2002, 03:48:25 PM »
Bill,
Is this article a fair explanation of the situation at Chuckanut?

http://www.citizenreviewonline.org/august_2002/group_challenging.htm

Neither Habitat Watch or the neighbors appear to be against the course but appear to be trying to force it to adhere to modern standards, not those from 1992.  
If so, do you think it's fair that a proposed course should be allowed to slip in under regulations that no longer exist, especially if that proposal was living under special extensions related to the laws at the time it was proposed?

I hope you and the Indians are successful.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
"I never beat a well man in my life" - Harry Vardon