Methods and materials for golf course sand bunker construction

Abstract

A method for building and renovating golf course sand bunkers to improve infiltration of water through a drainage system reduces the chance of contamination of the sand and to reduce erosion and maintenance and provide consistent playable sand for golf. The bunker is built to slopes based on the sand selected for use. A drainage system and a layer of fine pea gravel is installed over the entire floor of the bunker. A pre-polymer is sprayed onto the layer of pea gravel to secure it in place. The polymer sprayed bunker is permitted to cure for approximately 24 hours. A sufficient amount of bunker sand is added and compacted so the entire bunker is covered. Washed sod is placed around the bunker to stabilize the edge of the bunker.

1 . A method for improving a golf course bunker to improve infiltration of water through a drainage system and to reduce contamination and erosion sand in the golf course bunker, said method comprising the steps of:
 applying a pre-polymer using a spray-gun, to 90-100% of a layer of gravel placed at a floor of the golf course bunker at a discharge rate of 0.03-0.04 gallons per square foot; and   installing a nonwoven geotextile fabric over area that is not treated with the pre-polymer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven geotextile fabric has an approximate mesh opening of #20 US Sieve. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-polymer is applied using the spray gun, spraying all areas of the golf course bunker except portions in the lowest and flattest area that may be covered by the geotextile fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising:
 setting the golf course bunker to cure for approximately 24 hours; 
 adding bunker sand to the golf course bunker so the golf course bunker can be compacted; and 
 placing washed turfgrass sod, or turfgrass sod that will not contaminate the bunker sand, along an edge of the golf course bunker, whereby the likelihood of contamination of the sand by the soil and erosion of the golf course bunker is substantially reduced. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising:
 testing bunker sand while dry to determine the maximum angle of repose, wherein the testing is done by measuring the slope angle of a pile of the bunker sand. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of:
 shaping the floor of the golf course bunker to have a bottom of the golf course bunker slope equal to or less than 80% of a slope angle of the tested bunker sand. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising the step of:
 excavating drainage trenches approximately 1.2′ deep by 6″ wide in a pattern where a perforated drain pipe is positioned no more than ten feet from the edge of the golf course bunker or another perforated drain pipe.   
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  wherein a perforated drain pipe system comprises perforated drain pipes having a four inch diameter; and further wherein said perforated drain pipe is installed in said drainage trenches and surrounded by gravel. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8  further comprising the step of:
 installing a locater wire with the perforated drain pipe system. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising the step of:
 installing a layer of gravel over the entire floor of the bunker 1.5″-2″ deep which serves as a conduit for water to flow, 
 wherein a layer of coarse crumb rubber can be used as a substitute for the 1.5″-2″ layer of gravel. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising the step of:
 installing a nonwoven geotextile fabric with an approximate mesh opening of #20 US Sieve, over the area that is not treated with the pre-polymer. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the pre-polymer treated golf course bunker is permitted to cure for approximately 24 hours. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pre-polymer comprises pre-polymer isocyante. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said gravel is pea gravel. 
     
     
         15 . A method for improving a golf course bunker to improve infiltration of water through a drainage system and to reduce contamination and erosion sand in the golf course bunker, said method comprising the steps of:
 applying a drainage liner at a floor of the golf course bunker, wherein said drainage liner comprises a substantially porous solid mass that covers 90%-100% of said floor of said golf course bunker; and   installing a nonwoven geotextile fabric over area of said floor of said golf course bunker not covered by said drainage liner.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the nonwoven geotextile fabric has an approximate mesh opening of #20 US Sieve. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising:
 adding bunker sand to the golf course bunker so the golf course bunker can be compacted; and 
 placing washed turfgrass sod along an edge of the golf course bunker, whereby the likelihood of contamination of the sand by the soil and erosion of the golf course bunker is substantially reduced. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising:
 testing bunker sand while dry to determine the maximum angle of repose, wherein the testing is done by measuring the slope angle of a pile of the bunker sand. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of:
 shaping the floor of the golf course bunker to have a bottom of the golf course bunker slope equal to or less than 80% of a slope angle of the tested bunker sand. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of:
 excavating drainage trenches approximately 1.2′ deep by 6″ wide in a pattern where a perforated drain pipe is positioned no more than ten feet from the edge of the golf course bunker or another perforated drain pipe.