2nd Hole Bunker Work - November 2015

Sand bunkers are expensive to maintain, and difficult for kids and higher handicap players to handle.  Therefore, as a rule, we have decided to reduce the number and square footage of bunkers at Canal Shores.  Bunkers also periodically need to be rebuilt, and it is unclear if our bunkers have ever received that level of attention.

We felt that the bunker short left of the green on #2 had potential, and decided to rebuild it.

Before work begins

Over time, the bunker had been refilled with sand repeatedly, which caused it to be much more shallow than it should have been relative to the green.  Additionally, the approach to the bunker built up which obstructed the view of it from the tee and made it less interesting to play.  The slope repelled poorly struck shots from the bunker, rather than gathering them into it.

Our volunteers Pat Goss, Peter Korbakes, and Jason Way dug the bunker out, shaved down the approach, and reshaped the top lip to give it a more interesting rugged look.

Pat and Peter stripping the approach

Jason digging out the bunker bottom

After the shaping was complete

After grow-in, with new bunker sand

We let the grass grow up a bit on the top of the bunker to give it even more contrast from the tee.  It looks much nastier than it actually is, which is just the type of deception that makes the tee shot on #2 more thrilling.

The expanded fairway and chipping runoff right

To complement the new bunker, Tom changed the mowing pattern on the right side of the hole.  In expanding the fairway cut, we have given players a place to bail out while simultaneously uncovering interesting ground contours that make chipping up to the green fun and exciting.

After the work had matured, one of our players commented that the rebuilt bunker looked like something you might find at Pine Valley.  Those compliments are music to our ears and a good reminder that we don't have to settle for mediocre conditions at Canal Shores.