Page 12 - GreenMaster Winter 2025

Before restoration began on #8 bunker.
#8 bunkers rebuild wrapped up beautifully.
1.  Bunkers must align with the course’s design DNA. Carnmoney, named
after a town in Northern Ireland, was conceived as a links-inspired course.
Restoring a sense of links heritage was both authentic and differentiating
in a crowded golf market.
2.  Bunkers must evolve from liabilities into durable assets. For too long,
bunkers had been drains on labour, budgets, and member satisfaction.
Any renovation had to address root causes of failure (drainage,
contamination, edging) and deliver lasting value.
With those principles in mind, the club began exploring alternatives
beyond conventional reshaping.
LEARNING FROM TRUE LINKS
Original bunkers on courses were wind swept holes created by animals
seeking shelter from the coastal breeze. Traditional links courses in the UK
and Ireland adapted this to feature revetted sod-wall bunkers—steep,
intimidating pits with stacked-turf faces that maintain a consistent edge in
the harsh conditions. These hazards are both visually striking and strategically
demanding, shaping how players think their way around a course. Here in
North America, this style of bunkering remains rare, largely due to differences
in climate, turfgrass species, and maintenance practices.
The idea was to adapt this
concept using modern materials.
Rather than natural turf, requiring
frequent rebuilding, Cameron pro-
posed using recycled synthetic turf
products developed by EcoBunker in
the UK. These prefabricated “turf
bricks” replicate the look and playing
qualities of traditional sod revetments
while offering durability and minimal
upkeep.
This innovation aligned perfectly
with Carnmoney’s goals: paying
homage to links heritage while solving
long-standing maintenance challenges.
THE TECHNICAL APPROACH
The renovation process, though
rooted in traditional bunker
construction, incorporated several
modern advancements:
1. Excavation and Preparation
•  Existing sand was removed,
washed, and stored for reuse.
•  Bunker cavities were reshaped with
flat, minimally sloped floors to
promote drainage efficiency.
2. Drainage Infrastructure
•  New perforated drain tile was
installed at appropriate depths.
•  Attention was given to subgrade
stability to prevent contamination
from surrounding soil.
3. Lining
•  Instead of fabric or sod, Carnmoney
selected porous crumb rubber
liner panels. These are durable,
easily installed by in-house staff,
and resistant to frost heave. The
liner prevents sand contamination,
locks material in place during
heavy rain, and extends the life of
bunker sand.
4. Revetted Faces
•  Synthetic turf bricks (30 cm x 10
cm) infilled with sand for stability
were stacked in courses (layers)
like masonry.
•  Every few rows included wider
“deadman” pieces, anchored with a
sand-Portland cement backfill for
structural integrity.
•  The result: a face with a natural
aesthetic, 20 years of warranty,
requiring no edging or mowing.
5. Finishing
•  Upper edges were sodded with
natural turf for a seamless transition.
•  Maintenance now involves little
more than occasional sweeping,
vegetation control, and encour-
aging moss growth for authenticity.
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• CGSA • GreenMaster