Bunker Rakes Survey – Results
The Golf Committee has conducted a survey of the membership to help determine whether the bunker rakes should be kept in the bunkers or out of them. The results were as follows:
A total of 56 surveys were completed.
A. In the Bunker – 21
B. Outside the Bunker – 33
C. Other – 2
The Golf Committee has revisited the issue by taking the survey results, as well as the USGA and other organizations’ recommendations into consideration and has decided that the bunker rakes will return to being placed outside of the bunkers as they had previously. Please try to place them to the sides of the bunkers or in an area where they are least likely to be struck by a ball.
We found out some interesting things by going through this process. The first is that our survey closely resembles other surveys done of course superintendents, golf professionals and golf industry professionals. In other words, there is no clear consensus, but about 55%-60% prefer the rakes outside the bunkers.
The second is that most everyone agrees that from a visual standpoint the course looks prettier with the rakes in the bunkers, but from a golfing standpoint the rakes come into play more often when they are in the bunker.
The debate will no doubt continue, but for now the rakes at Rocky Bayou will be left outside the bunkers.