At Florence Golf Links (more commonly known as Sandpines Golf Links), we’re committed to offering the best possible golfing experience, and a key part of that is maintaining our course to the highest standards. One area that has admittedly required attention over the years is our bunkers. Due to the constant forces of rain, wind, and time, these bunkers had been allowed to deteriorate, impacting both the visual appeal and playability of the course. But we’re excited to share that, as of late 2024 with new ownership, our team has been working hard on a comprehensive bunker reconditioning project to bring these features back to life.
The Challenges of Bunker Maintenance on the Oregon Coast
The weather on the Oregon coast, while beautiful, poses a unique set of challenges for golf course maintenance. Rain and wind erosion are the biggest contributors to bunker deterioration. The rain tends to wash sand from the sides of the bunkers to the bottom, while the constant coastal winds—especially the prevailing north wind during the summer—can shift sand from one area to another, sometimes even pushing it completely out of the bunker. In some cases, these strong winds have caused the bunker edges to erode, leading to turf overhanging the sand, which eventually drops into the bunker.
Additionally, without regular upkeep, weeds begin to establish themselves in the bunker sand, making the conditions less than ideal for both golfers and groundskeepers alike.
A New Chapter in Bunker Reconditioning
To address these challenges, our team kicked off a major bunker reconditioning project in December of 2024. This is a continuation of efforts we’ve started in previous winters, but with significantly more progress this time around. We even worked with the one of the original architects of the course, Greg Muirhead of Rees Jones Design Inc to get our bunkers back to where they need to be. Our goal is to ensure that every bunker at FGL is visually appealing, highly playable, and easy to maintain. While we’ve made substantial headway, we’ve only just reached the 13th hole, and we’re eager to complete the entire project before the golf season begins in the spring.
What’s Involved in Our Bunker Reconditioning Process?
Our bunker reconditioning process is designed to address both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the bunkers. The first step is to establish a new, clean edge for each bunker. We mark this new boundary with paint and remove the grass between the sand and the fresh edge. Once the edges are set, we move on to removing any weeds from the sand, giving us a fresh foundation to work with.
From there, we redistribute the sand. Areas with a surplus are moved to the edges, and we use a power rake to smooth everything out for an even finish. This simple but physically demanding process can take anywhere from a couple of hours to several days per bunker, depending on its size and the extent of the erosion.
What’s Next for Sandpine’s Bunkers?
As we continue working, we’ll keep tackling the effects of rain and wind. We’re aware that there may be occasional gaps in bunker conditioning as we progress, but rest assured, our team is committed to finishing this important project before the season begins. Once completed, the bunkers will be in top shape, requiring less off-season work and ensuring better consistency and less weed encroachment.
We ask for your patience and understanding as we work to improve the overall experience at Florence Golf Links. If you see us out there working, we appreciate your awareness of our efforts. We’re excited for what’s to come and know that these improvements will make a significant difference for everyone who enjoys playing golf on the Oregon coast.
