Bunker Re-construction
& Course Improvements
Friday, July 1, 2022
The bunker project continues to move forward. This week we completed bunkers on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th holes on the Valley course. It looks like we will be getting more sand by the middle of next week where we will continue to push to get the project completed.
With the sand now installed in the bunker and the newly sodded area fully rooted, the practice bunker area is now open.
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Friday, June 24, 2022
With the Gentlemen's two-day Inventational behind us, we are back to hauling sand starting today. We are now going to shift gears a little bit and complete some bunkers on the Valley course. This will allow those who only play the Valley course to play out of some bunkers and it also helps us move forward with our restoration plan. Unfortunately, trucking is still an issue and sand deliveries continue to be slower than anticipated. We are still moving forward as efficiently as possible to complete the project in a timely manner.
With the newly sodded short game area around the bunker almost ready, the sand will be installed, and the entire practice area should be ready to open by the end of next week.
Valley Course
The Valley Course is starting to take shape and our programs have begun to show some positive results. We continue to learn some new things along the way. One of the things we have quickly realized is the Valley greens will take us longer to bring to a championship level. The organics or thatch layer is slightly greater than those of the Championship course and will take longer to modify. The clover is more predominant in some of the approaches therefore in some cases, though treatment will be our first effort, resurfacing may be the best option. The turf on the tees is in poor condition. Partly because of tee surface sizes and partly because of agronomics. We have started regular topdressing programs and we have put a high priority on divot recovery but ultimately it will take an extended period and most likely some tee expansions to achieve the product we are after.
Friday, June 17, 2022
It has been another productive week on the course. Though this week proved to be challenging with some delays on trucking and sand delivery, we still managed to complete a few bunkers. They include the 16th, 17th, and 18th greenside bunkers. Deliveries are projected to be back on track by Monday and if all goes well, we are still hoping to complete the Championship bunkers by the middle of next week. From there we are moving onto the Valley course and hope to make quick progress with those bunkers as well.
We have also been making a push on some restoration areas around the property including the Clubhouse area, tennis lawns, and several disturbed areas from the bunker project. In addition, we have finished sodding the approaches on the 1st hole, and the 15th hole and have partially completed the 9th Valley approach and bunker.
The 11th tee is also starting to take shape. It has now been rough graded, and mix installed. If all goes well we hope to have it completed by the end of next week.
Saturday, June 11, 2022
The bunker project continues to move along nicely. Although we were slowed this week, with over an inch of rain, we still made some timely progress with polymer applications, sod restoration, and sand installation.
Beginning today, we will open bunkers on holes 10, 11, and 12 in addition to the front nine and we will continue to open holes as they are completed. Next week we will continue to make every effort to install as much sand as possible. With some more rain in the forecast for Sunday, we will most likely focus on finishing the bunkers on holes 17 and 18 early next week.
We are now in the final stretch of the bunker work and if the weather permits, we hope to have all bunkers complete within the next two weeks. Final haul road, sod restoration, and path clean-up will be ongoing, and completion will follow thereafter.
Click here for the full update.
Friday, June 3, 2022
The front nine bunkers on the Championship Course will open for play on Tuesday, June 7 (except for the greenside bunker on the 7th hole).
Over the past week or so we have continued to haul sand and prep the bunkers for play. Hauling sand into the bunkers is a major step in the bunker process. It is labor-intensive, involves heavy machinery, and is time-consuming. Most of our bunkers require 30 tons of sand or more on average. When adding this much sand to bunkers, the sand is initially soft and fluffy, and it will take some time to settle and establish properly. Therefore, to help the process along, we are prepping them for play by compacting the sand with gas-powered plate tampers (as seen in the picture below) and tamping them by hand on the high faces where it is too steep for equipment. This will help with the settling and firming process.
Next week we will continue to push forward with polymer, sand, and restoration sod as much as the weather permits. We are now getting into the final stages of the bunker work and if all goes well we are still expecting to complete the bunkers within the next couple of weeks with restoration closely following.
Friday, May 20, 2022
The bunker project continues to move along well. This week we continued with some sodding around the bunkers and the application of polymer. Unfortunately, some rain early in the week and some cooler weather slowed the progress on polymer. Nonetheless, we are working diligently to maximize the application days including the use of our greens fans to help dry the gravel.
Many of the haul roads on the course have yet to be rectified. The restoration part of the construction process is the last step. Once all stages of the bunker work are complete in an area and that area does not have to be accessed with equipment, the haul roads will be graded and sodded.
The bunkers will remain out of play until all bunkers have been completed. It would be extremely difficult for a member to distinguish which bunkers are completed and which aren’t. A bunker with sand does not necessarily mean is has been completed therefore could pose a safety hazard.
The bunker practice area will remain closed until construction is complete.
Daily hole closures will be ongoing and all bunkers will be out of play until the project is complete. Hole closures are posted daily on the Lambton App in "Today at the Club".
Friday, May 13, 2022
The bunker project is moving along nicely and we are still on schedule, weather depending, to complete the project by mid-June.
To quickly recap, there are three major stages in the bunker construction process.
- Sand cleanout, shaping, drainage install
- Sod, gravel, and polymer install
- Haul new sand, level sand, compact sand
To date, we have finished the first step on all bunkers. We have also made a big push on sodding and sand installation. With the recent rise in temperatures, we are now able to move forward with the polymer on the gravel. The polymer is a sensitive application. Two-inch gravel layer must have less than 15% moisture and spray days must not be below 10 degrees Celsius. Once the polymer is in place we will keep moving forward with more sand installed.
Because it will be important to keep traffic out of construction areas, daily hole closures will be ongoing and all bunkers will be out of play until the project is complete.
Hole closures are posted daily on the Lambton App in "Today at the Club".
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Click here to view the Bunker Project Update from Andre Aymar.
Friday, December 10
All bunkers on Hole 1 Champ have been bulked in for shape and size. Holes 1 and 2 Valley have been excavated and shaped. TDI will continue with the drainage and gravel instillation as weather permits. They're preparing to do the work required on 5 Tee Champ. All armor stone and clay is now on site and ready to go.
Friday, December 3, 2021
TDI continue to move forward and started work on Hole 1 of the Valley Course. Hole 1 of the Championship Course is roughed in and waiting for any adjustments for the shape and size of the greenside bunkers. TDI has started with re-routing the drainage in preparation to start the fix of the bank going into the reservoir at 5 Silver Tee
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Championship Course Hole 1 fairway bunker shaped and roughed in with gravel.
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Championship Course Hole 1 aerial view of the new bunker on the left and a new look to the right.
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Championship Course Hole 2 fairway bunkers waiting for sod and polymer.
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Friday, November 26
TDI is currently working on Holes 1 and 2. Zander sod farms have shut down their harvest for the year but other sod farms will be contacted to keep progress going. Any bare soiled areas around the green will not be sided this year and will have to wait for Spring 2022. Please keep off the soiled areas during your walks. Progress will continue as long as weather permits.
Friday, November 19, 2021
TDI continued to work on Holes 15 and 16 and started work at Holes 1 and 2. With the colder temperatures, the polymer spraying will be on hold until Spring 2022. As long as TDI can, they will continue to excavate, shape and work on other holes and leave the finishing touches for the warmer weather in the Spring.
Friday, November 12, 2021
TDI continued to work on Holes 13 through 16 adding gravel, drainage, and sod prep. With the weather being ideal to spray this past week, TDI was able to complete all of Hole 3 and the Greenside on Hole 4. This will more than likely be the last opportunity to spray anymore polymer this year. The number of completed holes to date will be 10 which will leave the last 8 Championship Holes to be completed next Spring. TDI will continue to work away and get as much done before the end of the year.
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Championship Course Hole 8 from the tee.
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Championship Course Hole 8.
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Friday, November 5, 2021
TDI continued to work on Holes 13 through 16 with removing sand, adding gravel, drainage, and sod prep. The weather this week was great to push ahead and get a lot done but the cold temperatures made it difficult to get the polymer sprayed. With the warmer temperatures that are forecasted for the upcoming days, TDI are hopeful that more bunkers will be sprayed and completed. Our Greens Crew have been hard at getting sand into the completed bunkers and you may find a few bunkers where the sand has been spread. This will not be the final thickness as the sand will settle and compact over the winter, at which time we will add more to get the final depths needed.
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New bunker raked and ready.
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Friday, October 29, 2021
TDI continued to work on holes 3 and 4 with adding gravel, drainage and sod prep. The struggles to spray continue and although they're using blow torches to help the drying process, the weather has been the biggest obstacle.
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Hole #3 greenside bunkers waiting for sod and gravel.
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Hole #4 greenside bunker gravel installed and waiting for Better Billy Bunker polymer.
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Hole #5 gravel installed and ready for Better Billy Bunker polymer.
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Hole #6 fairway extension to the left.
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Hole #6 new fairway lines being cut out.
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Hole #6 sod prep for the new fairway extension.
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Hole #13 fairway old sand removed.
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Hole #13 greenside stripping and shaping the right bunker.
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Friday, October 22, 2021
TDI continued to work on Holes 3 to 6 and 10 to 12 with adding gravel, drainage, sod prep and spraying the Better Billy Bunker polymer. They will have fully completed 6 and 10 by this weekend. They continue to use blow torches to help the drying process. We’ve started to fill the completed bunkers with sand and will continue to do so next week.
Adding sand to bunker.
Hole #10 Fairway Bunker with added gravel before the polymer spray.
Hole #11 greenside before the sod.
Hole #11 greenside after the sod and gravel instillation.
Hole #12 green after the sod.
Hole #12 from the tee.
Friday, October 15, 2021
TDI continues to work on Holes 6 and 10 with adding gravel, drainage and sod prep. They have nearly completed 11 and 5. Due to the moisture in the gravel layer being so high, they started to use blow torches to help speed up the drying process so that they can spray the polymer. We’ve started to fill the completed bunkers with sand and will continue to do so next week.
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Championship Course Hole #6.
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Championship Course Hole #6 and #10 adding gravel, drainage, and sod prep.
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Championship Course Hole #9 using our fans to speed up drying process.
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Championship Course Hole #7 green bunkers.
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Championship Course Hole #7 fairway bunkers.
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Friday, October 8, 2021
TDI will complete Holes 7, 8 and 9 on the Championship Course by the weekend and work will continue on Holes 6 and 10. As they move along, construction on Holes 4, 5 and 11 will begin next week. We plan to start installing sand into those completed bunkers early next week. Please keep off the new sod and use the ball retrievers provided at each bunker. The weather in the upcoming week looks promising which will be great for TDI when they go to spray more bunkers with the polymer.
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Championship Course Hole #6 shaping the new fairway bunkers.
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Championship Course Hole #6 fairway sod near completion.
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Championship Course Hole #10 shaping the new bunkers.
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Championship Course Hole #10 greenside and approach bunker sod completed.
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Pushing to finish the Sand Injection on Hole #6 Championship Course.
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Bunker Renovation Tours
If you are interested in taking a quick look at the “new” Bunkers, tours will be available on Sunday, October 10, weather permitting. Please email Chris Vasey, [email protected], directly if you are interested.
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Friday, October 1, 2021
Work continues on Holes 6 through 10. Most Bunkers have been sodded and the gravel layer has been laid down on Holes 7, 8 and 9.
The first stage of Better Billy Bunker has been applied to the bunkers at 7 green and to the fairway bunkers on the right. They will continue to spray the bunkers as weather permits.
The bunkers at 6 and 8 green and the new bunker at 9 will be sodded before the rain that is forecasted for this weekend.
Please do not step around or into any bunkers with gravel inside.
Weather permitting, sand should be ready to be installed as early as late next week. |
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| Hole #9 - New bunker on the left side. |
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| Hole #8 - New bunker on the right side. |
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| Hole #8 - Championship from Silver Tee |
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| Hole #7 - Green Side after first application of Better Billy Bunker. |
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Friday, September 17, 2021
Click the image above to watch the video flyover of the construction progress of Hole #7 on the Championship Course.
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Bunker Project Update
The bunker project is well underway now as we are in day 4. By the end of the day, all of the sand on holes 7,8 and 9 will be removed. Shaping has already begun on some and sod will be laid by Wednesday. Once the sod is down, the process of Billy Bunker liner begins. We have started the project with dry days which is perfect for this work. With the contractor not having started on holes 6 and 10, they are still open for play this weekend. Please follow the signage and roping to guide you away from the construction site. Thank you for your patience while playing 15 holes.
Click here for course improvement updates and timeline or visit the Lambton APP under the "Bunker Re-construction and Course Improvements" menu. For daily updates, visit "Today at the Club" on the APP. |
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| Hole #7 middle fairway bunker with sand and old liner removed. |
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| Hole #7 left bunker with sand removed. |
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| Hole #7 right bunker with sand removed and undergoing shape. |
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| Hole #7 green side bunkers. Right bunker drained, shaped and ready for sod. |
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| Hole #8 bunkers. Left Bunker sand removal today (Sept. 17) |
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| Hole #9 bunker with the sand removed. |
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Wednesday, September 8, 2021
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Two photos showing a sample of Billy Bunker Liner installed and sprayed with polymer.
Beginning next week (September 14), our contractor will begin renovating our bunkers under the direction and oversight by Rees Jones Inc. For the first month of the project, Members will play holes 1-5 and 11-18. By closing holes 6-10, the contractor can make progress without any interruption and Members can play without disruption, mess or temporary greens albeit over an abbreviated layout. The scope for this month includes rebuilding fourteen bunkers while generally keeping their existing shape, adding three new bunkers and completely changing the look and playability on two bunkers.
Master Plan Phase 2 - Valley Course
Master Plan Phase 2 - Championship Course
The Construction Process:
For those bunkers that are not changing dramatically in shape, the process involves removing the old sand and fabric liner, smoothing the interior and installing new drainage. For those being re-built, it involves heavy equipment building the bunker using the existing dirt to shape the architect’s vision and with new drainage. At this stage, both methods become identical with a two-inch layer of gravel throughout the floor of the bunker that will act as the new liner between the sand and soil. The gravel is then sprayed with a polymer to bind the gravel, while still permitting rainfall to pass through the gravel and into the drain lines. The next day, the spray is inspected, and any additional touch-ups take place at this time. Once dry, new sand is installed over this layer of gravel and compacted. This Better Billy Bunker (BBB) liner ensures no washouts, even with severe rainfall and no fabric catching golf clubs.
All bunkers will be re-grassed around the perimeter and have newly shaped lips. These lips, where the grass meets the sand, will no longer have any soil aspect to them.
What improvements can we expect?
- Although the bunkers will still require daily maintenance, the labour required will allow more time spent on fit and finish aspects of the course. Even after heavy rainfall, these bunkers will not require hours of repair and will play consistently from bunker to bunker.
- By removing the fabric liners, there will be no incidence of clubs catching. In addition, the aesthetics of seeing only pure sand will be beautiful.
- Having grass lips means that there will be no contamination of the bright, white, new sand by soil from the edges of the bunker even during irrigation cycles or storms.
Are there any potential pitfalls during the BBB process?
- The gravel must be bone dry in order for it to be sprayed and dry properly ensuring years of durability. If we happen to get an overly wet fall, this process will be slowed, resulting in waiting periods to add the new sand. This contractor has proven time and time again that they will do their best to forge ahead in any weather in an attempt to meet our timelines.
Throughout the project, we will be providing regular updates that will be available on the LGCC APP under "Course Improvement Plan Updates".