Small Ornamental Grass Removal Project

PROBLEM

Here is a look at our greenside bunker on number 15. It had a controversial patch of rustic grass between the inside lip of the bunker and many potential pin placements. It is a typical look for Fazio's design. The problem, as you can see in the picture on the right, is that you may be faced with an unplayable bunker shot. If your ball lands inches below the patch of ornamental grass, you will be faced with an impossible shot to a frontal pin placement.


SOLUTION

The decision was made to remove the patch of long grass. The first step I took was to remove the layer of sand down to the soil profile with a flathead shovel. I moved it about 3 feet away from the edge of the ornamental grass, avoiding dirt/sand contamination. This is illustrated in the first two pictures. I then cut my bunker edge on the inside of the ornamental grass and began its removal. In the picture on the bottom you can see how easily and clean the grass was removed, leaving a nice bunker edge behind with little dirt contamination. All of the loose dirt that fell down the 3 foot slope was removed, and the solid surface was compacted with a tamp. The final process of pushing clean sand back onto the bunker face was ready.





RESULT

Once the loose dirt was removed and the solid surface was tamped down, I used a plastic bunker rake to push sand toward the new bunker face. I also spent some time tamping the sand making sure that this bunker was consistently firm with the other bunkers on the golf course. Fried egg lies in soft sand are not ideal.





Here is a final look at the bunker from 16 teebox