Page 14 - GreenMaster Winter 2025

The Carnmoney crew works diligently to prepare #13 bunker for reconstruction.
Before sand is put back in as the final touch, #13 bunker shows the layered edge and the
crumb rubber liner panels.
#13 bunker is ready for golf after restoration.
14
• CGSA • GreenMaster
MANAGING TIMING AND LABOUR
One of Carnmoney’s most innovative
decisions was to schedule much of
the work outside the prime golf
season. Excavation and drainage
took place in the fall following
closure, while liner installation and
revetted wall construction continued
into winter. Because synthetic turf
and rubber liners withstand freezing
temperatures, progress could
continue well into December, without
disrupting peak-season play.
This approach had additional
benefits:
•  Extending employment for key
seasonal staff into late fall.
•  Avoiding costly reliance on outside
contractors and allowing key staff
an opportunity to learn, participate,
and construct something that will
outlast all of us.
•  Allowing projects to be paced
according to financial planning,
rather than forced assessments.
Carnmoney has long prided
itself on never assessing its
membership – a principle preserved
even during this high-cost initiative.
THE COLD-WEATHER
CHALLENGES
Cold-weather construction brings
unique hurdles that both staff and
leadership have had to overcome:
•  Reduced Productivity – Shorter
daylight hours, frozen ground, and
the constant routine of moving
tools and materials in and out each
day slows down progress
compared to summer conditions.
•  Material Handling – Cold
temperatures make certain
materials—such as synthetic turf
and adhesives—more rigid and
difficult to work with. Even simple
tasks such as cutting synthetic turf
pieces or ensuring glue bonds
require extra time and care.
•  Staff Morale – Working long hours
in freezing temperatures is taxing,
both physically and mentally.
Maintaining energy, focus, and
morale among the crew during
extended cold spells has required
strong leadership and a shared
commitment to the project’s vision.
•  Weather Variability – Sudden
snowfalls, frost, and swings in
temperature can delay work
unexpectedly, forcing adjustments