Bunker Removal On #17

The bunker removal to the right of #17 fairway has been completed!  When removing a bunker, you typically have two choices. The first option is to fill the bunker and make it look and play as though it never existed.  The next option is to round over the edges and then place a topsoil cap over those edges and the bottom of the bunker. Upon completion of option 1, you would typically be left with a surface drained and level rough area.  Option 2,  will usually give you what those like to call a "grass or sod bunker".

When we remove a bunker, it is our goal to make it seem as though the bunker never existed.  We prefer this plan of action for three reasons: playability, durability and aesthetics.  When we address the topic of playability, we are talking about the fact that we don't have any sod bunkers on the golf course.  We do not believe that just a few sod bunkers scattered around the course would be our desired flow for a golf game at Stillmeadow Country Club.  We desire consistency and we feel that if we would be unable to quickly make sod bunkers a "theme" all the way around the course, then there would be no reason to have just one or even a few.  It's just not consistent.  The next reason was durability.  If you allow an area to surface drain it will always be a more durable situation than relying on drainage.  In many cases sod bunkers still require drainage as they typically sit lower than the surrounding grade.  This means drainage instillation and maintenance.  In addition to unwanted drainage, it can be very difficult and often unsuccessful to construct a sod bunker that is easily mowable and that has enough topsoil cap for a healthy root zone; especially through the summer months.  In many cases, sod bunkers are prone to burn up and have dead grass during the summer.  Lastly, is the topic of aesthetics.  Along with a playable, consistent course, we also desire a aesthetically consistent one.

We will continue to evaluate our bunkers daily to decide the best plan of action as it pertains to the improvement or removal of all bunkers around the course.

Removal

Seeding

2 Weeks

3 Weeks

4 Weeks

5 Weeks

6 Weeks

A Flashback to 2012

Less than three years ago, the current management team from Stillmeadow Turf and Maintenance embarked on a new journey to rebuild our club to reclaim past glories.  The course in general, with an emphasis on the greens, was in need of a much improved maintenance plan.  All of the greens needed attention, but one of the worst had to be #2 green.

The following photos are from #2 green in the early spring of 2012.

These photos are of #2 green now!  We think you will like the improvement!

The Stillmeadow Turf and Maintenance staff has greatly appreciated the support of the entire membership at the club.  The nice words, emails, calls and gifts have meant more than you could possibly know.  It has been awesome to hear that our members have even had positive words to those outside the club as some of it returns full circle.  It can sometimes be easy to forget how far we have come as a golf course and a club.  Pictures like these can be a positive reminder of that.  It can also be a reminder of what the course/greens could return to if aren't on our game.  The practices we preform such as analyzing, mowing, rolling, blowing, spraying, fertilizing, watering, stimping, manually removing weeds, verticutting, topdressing, aeration and brushing can be tedious and sometimes even slightly invasive to the game of golf.  However, they are invaluable to maintain the improved conditions that we have all come to enjoy and may even be taking for granted at our club.  Rest assured that as a maintenance team we plan to continue "grinding" to ensure that we do everything in our power to provide consistent and highly enjoyable course conditions.

Thanks again for your support of our maintenance team and our club!