Sandpiper Bay undergoes renovations that others may follow

Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club in Sunset Beach, N.C., underwent some renovations this summer, and the changes that were made to the bunkers at the 27-hole course may become a model for many other facilities on the Strand.

Despite recent record amounts of rainfall in the area that surpassed 2 feet over four days in some areas, the bunkers that had already been renovated at the facility did not collect water and resisted washouts of their faces, according to general manager Tim Tilma.

“It was unbelievable,” Tilma said. “There was no standing water in the bottom of the bunker and the top edge of the bunker did not wash out.”

Changes to the bunkers have been threefold.

Course operators replaced sand with a new white variety that is supposed to resist balls plugging.

Secondly, they added a new chamber pipe drainage system. The large pipe placed below the bunkers has a covering that is designed to collect water while keeping debris out to avoid blockages.

Thirdly, they changed the way the bunker lips are constructed and maintained. Rather than cut a straight vertical edge to the bunkers that is prevalent in the business, they rolled Bermudagrass sod over the faces and lips of the bunkers so that the grass now rolls into the bunkers and prevents erosion.

“This allows the grass to capture the water before it tumbles into the bunker sand,” Tilma said. “Then the chamber system of drain piping collects the water much better than the old system of corrugated drain pipe, so these new systems work great. It’s great for the superintendent and the crews and great for the golfer.”

Bunker work on all 27 holes is expected to be completed as early as the end of the week.

Some bunkers were eliminated and converted into depressed grass bunkers and chipping areas.

The 28-year-old Dan Maples design also received new golf carts earlier this summer, and the Piper nine received additional renovations over the summer. Approximately 280 trees on the Piper nine were eliminated because they were either uprooting cart paths or inhibiting grass growth on tees or greens, and cart paths were repaired. A new irrigation pump was installed for the Sand and Piper nines.

“All of this work was done to make the course more playable for our members and guests, and to allow the course to drain better after rains,” Tilma said.

Improvement projects will continue in the spring, including repairs and a paint job for the clubhouse and renovations to bar and grill.

Sandpiper innovative

Sandpiper Bay Golf & Country Club in Sunset Beach, N.C., underwent some renovations this summer, and the changes that were made to the bunkers at the 27-hole course may become a model for many other facilities on the Strand.

Despite recent record amounts of rainfall in the area that surpassed 2 feet over four days in some areas, the bunkers that had already been renovated at the facility did not collect water and resisted washouts of their faces, according to general manager Tim Tilma.

“It was unbelievable,” Tilma said. “There was no standing water in the bottom of the bunker and the top edge of the bunker did not wash out.”

Changes to the bunkers have been threefold.

Course operators replaced sand with a new white variety that is supposed to resist balls plugging.

Secondly, they added a new chamber pipe drainage system. The large pipe placed below the bunkers has a covering that is designed to collect water while keeping debris out to avoid blockages.

Thirdly, they changed the way the bunker lips are constructed and maintained. Rather than cut a straight vertical edge to the bunkers that is prevalent in the business, they rolled Bermudagrass sod over the faces and lips of the bunkers so that the grass now rolls into the bunkers and prevents erosion.

“This allows the grass to capture the water before it tumbles into the bunker sand,” Tilma said. “Then the chamber system of drain piping collects the water much better than the old system of corrugated drain pipe, so these new systems work great. It’s great for the superintendent and the crews and great for the golfer.”

Bunker work on all 27 holes is expected to be completed as early as the end of the week.

Some bunkers were eliminated and converted into depressed grass bunkers and chipping areas.

The 28-year-old Dan Maples design also received new golf carts earlier this summer, and the Piper nine received additional renovations over the summer. Approximately 280 trees on the Piper nine were eliminated because they were either uprooting cart paths or inhibiting grass growth on tees or greens, and cart paths were repaired. A new irrigation pump was installed for the Sand and Piper nines.

“All of this work was done to make the course more playable for our members and guests, and to allow the course to drain better after rains,” Tilma said.

Improvement projects will continue in the spring, including repairs and a paint job for the clubhouse and renovations to bar and grill.

This story was originally published October 19, 2015 at 10:18 PM with the headline "Sandpiper Bay undergoes renovations that others may follow."