Spring Lake G.C. In Midst Of Bunker Restoration Project
A renovation of the bunkering at Spring Lake Golf Club was completed by the end of December, with the 33 bunkers on the back nine being modernized. A similar effort will take place on the front nine’s 35 bunkers in 2014.
Along with the bunkering work, seven new forward tees and five new back tees were implemented.
“The bunkers needed repair. They were 15 years old,” said head professional Bill King. “They were difficult to maintain. They were not lined and drained poorly. We now have state-of-the-art bunkers with proper drainage and liners.
“They are also resanding the bunkers. The sand was falling away from the sides of the bunkers. In many cases, sand was mixing with earth,” King added.
Tripp Davis and Associates of Norman, Oklahoma, is the company in charge of the renovation work. The company is also building a drainage system that will stretch from the 14th fairway to a pond behind the 13th tee.
As many as 300 trees were removed for a more open links-style of play in recent years. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 took down an additional 200 trees.
Spring Lake G.C. was built on farm land. Most of it is just nine feet above sea level, with the Atlantic Ocean located less than a mile away.
“At times, the 15th fairway becomes a lake or an ice skating rink in the winter. We are hoping the new drainage system will have an effect on that,” King said.
