Comment Reply and Grape Odour.

One of the members posted a comment on the blog ...

Anonymous Apr 30, 2012 09:21 AM

Excellent website.

Since the damage to the sand traps is significant, would it be worth while placing a tarp over at least the upper portion of the ones that get damaged the most over the winter, and perhaps secure in place on the grass on the upper side with sandbags which could deflect water around the sandtraps?

Thanks for asking the question!  When we took tarps off the greens this year we noticed that where the tarp overlapped the trap, there was little damage to that portion of the trap.  Although the idea of tarping the upper edge of the traps is a good one, we have not budgeted the cost associated with the project.  The tarps we use on the greens are specially designed to allow for gas exchange and water infiltration and come at a dear cost (which is not unreasonable for the health of the greens).  There would also be the labour cost for installation and removal.  In the future as the tarps age and need to be replaced, it might be beneficial try and old tarp on the some of the more severe bunker edges.   It's unlikely that what ever steps we take will 100 percent protect the traps from the ravages of winter or a big summer storm, but we can limit the damage with good maintenance practices.  The use and replacement of liners and proper drainage is really the best way to limit washouts and contamination of the bunker sand. 

If your out to the course in the next few days you might notice a faint smell of grape juice on one, six, 12, 13 and 14.  The smell is from a product that we blanket sprayed in the areas where the geese normally habitat.  Derived from grapes, the product is organic and works by making the grass taste bitter.  Hopefully this will help with our goose problem before they settle in (it just makes me want a Popsicle).   

The white dots are the indication foam from the sprayer booms.  Tony sprayed all around the green and tee complex on 12 and 13.