Bunker Renovation Works - Strategic Objective Update

Dear Members,

We are excited to share some promising news regarding improvements to our beloved golf course.

The Board of Directors has recently adopted the capital expenditure budgets for the 2023/24 financial year and through this process have aligned a major portion of expenditure toward the objective of completing the bunker renovations. In recent years the greenside bunkers were successfully renovated and now the focus will see works undertaken to elevate the quality and presentation standards of the fairway bunkers on the course.

Whilst our golf course has consistently provided an enjoyable golfing experience, we acknowledge that most fairway bunkers have fallen short of meeting the high standards we aim to maintain. This has been a result of ageing sub-surface drainage matting, design elements and awareness that major works would be shortly undertaken and any short term fixes not considered a prudent use of funds.

In light of this, the Board in 2022/23 commissioned a thorough review of the fairway bunkers by Craig Parry Design. The purpose of this review was to identify areas where improvements could be made to bring our fairway bunkers in line with the overall quality and presentation of our course and to ascertain if all bunkers would be retained prior to renovating. The review report was published and a Members information session held which resulted in some minor modifications. We are grateful to have had Craig Parry Design’s expert guidance and members input throughout the review phase.

The recent funding approval from the Board will see the fairway bunker renovation works scheduled within the 2023/24 financial year in either one single stage or over two stages. The timing and staging of works to be dependent on availability of shapers and on the assumption materials will be available as indicated by suppliers.

The fairway bunker renovation works will include various aspects, such as:

· Recutting of existing fairway bunkers to enhance their visual appeal.

· Replacement of sand in the bunkers to ensure optimal playing conditions.

· Improved sub-surface drainage to prevent water accumulation and maintain bunker consistency.

· Capillary surface installation to provide consistency with greenside bunker works

· Removal of some bunkers as contained with the approved plan

The renovations may lead to temporary inconveniences, such as hole closures and temporary course setup or occasional 4BBB rounds where handicapping may not be completed dependent on course composition. We hope these minor inconveniences can be tolerated with patience when the works to enhance the course are undertaken.

Update on Greenside Bunkers

Whilst our greenside bunkers are performing to expectation in terms of presentation and drainage, we continue to face issues in obtaining supply of sand that is consistent with the existing greenside bunker sand specifications.

It has been suggested to simply fill the bunkers with an alternative sand however this then creates inconsistency across the course bunkering and a sand profile that is impossible to replicate.

Our greenside bunkers use a blend of sand called Elite Bunker Sand, this sand was chosen due to its excellent drainage capacity and angle of repose that enables it to hold on our bunker face designs.

The sand is considered one of the best available, so much so that the supply was exhausted due to high demand and quarry works to produce to the required standard has not yet been met. Our supplier informed:

“The Elite Bunker Sand is sourced from a Quarry in Glenella Western NSW near Cowra. The product is carefully removed from deep within the quarry around 15 to 20 metres in Depth. The Sand is then processed by screening and washing the material through the Sand Plant.

Unfortunately, the quarry extraction has been unable to yield a suitable grading or colour of material. Even after screening and washing the material, the material has been unsuitable for the use as a Bunker Sand material, that being said the quarry is confident of opening up a new area and obtaining a suitable yield. As the product is a natural quarried product it is hard to give an exact timeline on when the material will be fit for purpose.

Elite are extremely conscious of maintaining the quality of materials that are delivered to our customers and will not deliver a not fit for purpose product to our clients. Elite are confident that a premium Sand will be obtained to fill the outstanding orders for the Manly Golf Club.”

The lack of supply has meant additional labour has been allocated to monitor sand depths to try and ensure the depth of sand across each greenside bunker is reasonable. As an additional short term measure until supply can be obtained, the Elite sand from bunkers (14a Temp Green, 9th Bunkers close but away from greenside & 2nd hole close but away from greenside) will be removed and utilised to top up greenside bunkers as required without mixing sand types. These bunkers after being emptied will have an alternative sand installed until the preferred supply is available.

Members are reminded that a current local rule is also in place that enables the depth of sand to be tested and relief taken (without penalty) should the depth of sand be of concern (Please refer to local rule board for detail).

Both elements of the above works are being undertaken as a measure towards ensuring members are provided high quality playing surfaces and course presentation. The Board and course staff are looking forward to a successful completion of the works which will see the course with a completed bunker renovation programme.

Sincerely,

Daniel Constable
GENERAL MANAGER

For and on behalf of the Board of Directors