Week commencing 23rd May- The art of raking a bunker.

My Monday mainly consisted of raking the bunkers on both of the courses. Something that I have not mentioned yet is the art of raking the bunkers. There is more to it than you might think. Over time sand will shift throughout a bunker. There are a few factors that shift the sand such as: areas that have higher footfall/ shots, lower sections of the bunker and areas that might end up with more sand due to the way it gets raked.

The bunkers should be as lump free as possible making it fair for golfers hitting out of them. My job is not only to rake the footprints and other marks out of the sand but to make sure the sand is evenly distributed throughout the bunkers. Often the bunkers just get raked backwards which over time will result in sand shifting toward the edges and as a result we rake forward and back and ensure they are raked evenly. 

Below is a panorama from the 9th tee on the Hilton. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I flymoed the areas around the burns and the areas around the bunkers. The reason that we have to flymo around these areas and not use the usual sit on mowers is because of the steep and inaccessible slopes. If anyone would like a work-out I can recommend flymoing the banking on the 12^th on the Allander! You will come away with very long arms, calves of steel and likely crushed toes from the steep slope! Who needs the gym….

On Thursday and Friday, I raked the bunkers then helped Tish and Heather to empty the bins at the clubhouse, strim, clean the shoe cleaners and blow debris from around the club house. 

Let this great weather continue!