Bunker renovations

This week we have been concentrating on bunkers. All the green side bunkers have been washed down. This is simply using the irrigation hose to jet water onto the face to remove all the sand from within the turf. It is amazing how much sand builds up, in places up to 6 inches. Along with the sand it also removes moss and any other debris which is then removed the following day. The faces have also been cut. 

After a season of play they are in need of some attention. There are a few repairs needed but most are in good shape.

Although temperatures are set to rise according to the forecast, we have raised height of cut on the greens to 4.5mm. This is the bench setting measurement. This equates to around 3.5-4mm actual height of cut. To measure the height we use a prism gauge. As seen below. 

We have applied a 15-5-24 fertiliser to 10,14,15,16,18 and the 27 fairway as a trial to see wether an autumn application would boost spring growth. An application of fertiliser will be put on the greens next week and also some slow release fertiliser on the tees and approaches.