Bunker Maintenance

In order to retain the integrity and original design of the bunkers at TPC Stonebrae we complete regular bunker maintenance on a biweekly schedule. Regular bunker maintenance includes the following tasks ( edging with a string trimmer, push mowing the interface between the rough and fescue, blowing of debris inside the bunker, and a full rake.)

On a monthly basis in addition to the regular bunker maintenance the fescue slopes are managed using a push mower set at 4".

Also up to three times a year the fescue edges of the bunkers are gone over with a reciprocating trimmer, Which helps to remove the root mass and stop any encroachment that would alter the bunkers shape and design.

Below is a series of pictures going through the complete bunker maintenance step by step.

This is the last fairway bunker on the left of  #17 before maintenance.

This is another picture before maintenace from a different angle.

This is the reciprocating trimmer which is cutting the fescue roots out of the bunker.

After using the reciprocating trimmer the area is gone back over with a flat shovel. This is to  loosen any roots or grass that was trimmed.

This photo is a mass of fescue roots, which is a good example of why this maintenance is a necessity. Because without it the bunker would be overgrown altering the original design.

After the roots have been loosened with a shovel, they are then separated from the sand using a pitchfork for removal. This helps to prevent excessive removal of sand in the process of cleaning up the roots.

This photo demonstrates the mowing of the fescue around the bunker with a rotary mower at 4".

This photo shows the mowing of the rough and fescue interface using a rotary mower.

In this photo a fly mower is being used to maintain the rough along the bunkers leading edge.

After all the mowing is completed the bunker is ready to be edged witha sting trimmer.

After all the mowing and and triming is completed, the debris are then blown out of the bunker.

Now that the bunker is cleaned of debris, sand levels are checked to ensure that there are at least 4" of sand in the flat areas. Any low areas are marked as shown in the photo so sand can be added in the appropriate locations.

After all the maintenance is completed the bunker is then smoothed out and fully raked.

This is an example of the finished product.

Our goal is to leave the bunker looking like no one was in it.