We are nearing completion of the south practice bunker renovation! For those of you who missed my latest Terravita Report, I encourage you to take a look. It has some interesting information as well as video from the construction stage of the process.
The purpose of this project was to create a bunker that will reflect what all of our bunkers will be post renovation. We removed all existing sand from the bunker, slightly reshaped the bunker per the architects vision, replaced all drainage, added a new fabric liner to the base, added capillary concrete to the face (more on that later), and later this week, will be installing two new bunker sands.
With regards to the two new bunker sands. Sands set up differently in different environments. In addition, different memberships like different aspects of a sand. Some prefer firm, some prefer soft. We have chosen two commonly used, well respected sands for you all to sample, and in return we ask that you provide us with feedback so that management, with direction from the Board of Directors, can make our final decision come construction time.
There's a catch though. You will not know which sand is what. In order to gather impartial and objective feedback, we have decided a blind sample is the best strategy. The only thing to consider is how the sand feels to you as you hit your shot out of the bunker. Both sands fall within budget, pass USGA and Troon recommended specifications, and are used in clubs around the valley and nationally.
Some things to consider going forward. When bunkers are newly constructed, they often play softer than they would in say, 6 months-1 year. So please, give this bunker time to mature before passing any real judgement. The true test will be how they play now, 6 months, AND a year. When making your recommendation, choose the sand that you felt played the best at each of those milestones.
Lastly, capillary concrete was chosen, as it is the industries current leader in bunker liner. Capillary concrete is the most durable liner on the market, lasting decades instead of the 5-10 years that other bunker liners provide. It's holds sand on the faces better than others, reducing labor hours after heavy rain storms (if we ever rains here again???) or irrigation malfunctions. This liner is also built to withstand the dramatic change in temperature we have from winter to summer here in Arizona.
Please reach out if you have any questions on this project, or the project going forward!
Happy practicing!
Maddie