We started the bunker project January 2017. We laid out a plan to complete the project in two years. We came very close to achieving that goal, but the weather has slowed us down a bit. As I look at the video of the bunkers we sprayed that first winter, it is a drastic contrast from the winter we experienced in 2018/2019. We obviously haven't been able to do much outside work this winter with snow on the ground for most of the winter. The staff is anxious to get outside and the bunkers will be one of our highest priorities once winter breaks.
We are planning to resume the bunker project April 1st. We will give the course some time to thaw, and dry out before we start driving heavy equipment out there. We are also planning to aerate greens the 25th through the 27th of March (weather permitting) and that will take our entire crew to complete that process.
Bunker status update:
We started with 100,000 square feet of bunkers. That is 2.3 acres! That is a big number for an 18 hole golf course. We reduced the square footage by nearly 14,000 square feet to make the bunkers more manageable.
The great news is that we only have 8 bunkers left to complete.
We have 4 bunkers shaped into depressions. The shaper Doug Thackery did an outstanding job, we are lucky to have access to his talent. These bunkers include 7 fairway right side, 16 fairway right side, 3 green back right, 13 fairway right side. We will be seeding them as soon as the ground dries up.
There are two bunkers that are cored out, drainage installed, rock installed, and polymer treated. The last step with these is to add the sand. This will take place starting April 1st.
This will leave two bunkers left to complete the project. These bunkers include the front left green side bunker on 7 and the left fairway bunker on 9. We will completely change the shape and contour of these bunkers to reduce the size and practicality of these hazards. This will involve a skilled shaper so Doug will return to help us finish the last two bunkers.
The Staley Farms staff as well as Chris, Justin, Doug, and Daryl did terrific quality work and we appreciate your efforts. Thank you Great Life KC for your commitment to Staley Farms.
Lastly we extend our gratitude to the Staley Farms members and guests. We appreciate your patience and support of projects like this that improve our club.
The weather is getting better by the day. We are excited for the 2019 golf season at Staley Farms Golf Club.
One might expect to see more substantial effort on the few nice days we have had to advance the project. At the very least, one would think that weed control in the already prepped bunkers would be taking place.
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