Pfau Golf Course Bunker Repair

Project Overview & Objective

The objective of this project is to execute a comprehensive rebuild and restoration of selected sand bunkers at The Pfau Course at Indiana University. Originally designed by architect Steve Smyers and Hoosier native Fuzzy Zoeller, the course features approximately 147 rugged, fescue-lined bunkers known for their distinct, overgrown "eyebrows" and varying depths.

This project aims to restore the architectural integrity of the 86 Greenside and Approach bunkers, correct severe sand contamination and structural degradation, eliminate chronic washout issues, and upgrade the subsurface infrastructure using a premium porous aggregate method. All work must maintain the signature rugged aesthetic and strategic intent of the original Smyers design.

Scope of Performance

The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervisory personnel, equipment, tools, and materials necessary to perform the following sequential phases of the bunker rebuild:

Phase I: Site Prep, Turf Protection, & Demolition

Turf Protection: Lay down plywood, tracking mats, or approved subgrade protection along all transit corridors to minimize damage to Zoysia fairways and Bluegrass/Fescue roughs.

Sand Excavation: Completely excavate and remove all contaminated sand down to the native subgrade floor. Stockpile or dispose of old sand at a university-designated on-site location.

Drainage Removal: Excavate and safely extract all existing failed drainpipes, fittings, and gravel layers.

Phase II: Subgrade Shaping & Drainage Installation

Architectural Shaping: Re-establish the original floors, slopes, and subgrade profiles according to the architect's specifications. Maintain the specific depths and floor contours unique to each hazard.

Subgrade Compaction: Compact and smooth the native soil base to eliminate settling and assure uniform grade.

Trenching & Pipe Installation: Cut drainage trenches in a herringbone configuration. Install new 4-inch perforated ADS drainage pipe wrapped in gravel, connecting directly to the course's primary stormwater system. Remove

Flush Testing: Flush all new drainage lines with water to verify proper flow and outflow function prior to sealing the subgrade.

Phase III: Liner Application

Subgrade Stabilization: Ensure the bunker floor is completely free of loose debris, organic matter, and sharp limestone fragments typical of the Bloomington terrain.

Advanced Liner Installation: Install an industry-standard porous matrix liner (e.g., polymer-bonded aggregate layer or porous concrete) across the entirety of the bunker floor and up the faces according to manufacturer technical specifications. Minimum 2"

Curing Protocol: Allow the specified curing window for the liner matrix to achieve minimum strength thresholds (e.g., 3,000+ PSI if utilizing concrete-based variants) before introducing machinery or sand.

Phase IV: Sand Installation & Finish Grading

Sand Selection: Source and delivery of Signature 900 Sand for playability and crusting resistance. This sand will match bunkers already completed on hole number 8

Layering & Compaction: Install sand to a uniform compacted depth of 5 to 8 inches on the floors and 2 to 3 inches on the steep faces. Mechanical compaction and water-settling techniques must be utilized.

Lining the "Eyebrows": Handshape the sand along the upper lips to blend seamlessly with the rugged, overgrown fescue look

Phase V: Surrounds Restoration & Hand-Sodding

Perimeter Grading: Smooth and blend the surrounding rough areas into the bunker edges to ensure proper surface water diversion.

Sodding: Hand-install premium Fescue/Bluegrass sod around the perimeter. Pin or staple sod on steep faces to prevent slipping during establishment.

Cleanup: Remove all temporary tracking mats, repair any incidental turf damage, and hand-rake the finished sand to a pristine, tournament-ready status.

Schedule & Constraints

Work Hours: Construction activity hours to be agreed upon in advance but at a minimum will be Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, additional working time may be permitted to complete the project on time. Additional working time will not be compensated at any overtime rate and this project should be bid with the scope of work and time requirements in mind.

Course Access: The Contractor must coordinate closely with Golf Course Superintendent Brad Allen regarding daily routing, hole closures, and heavy equipment access points.

Weather Adjustments: In the event of heavy rainfall, the contractor must halt subgrade hauling to prevent severe turf compaction and deep tracking.

Quality Assurance & Sign-off

Every completed bunker subgrade must be inspected and approved by the Superintendent or designated Project Manager prior to liner application.

Drainage flow testing must be visually verified.

Final sand depths will be randomly core-tested to ensure adherence to the 4-to-6-inch depth protocol across all floor quadrants.

Indiana University reserves the right to require a performance and payment bond.

Schedule

Project Publicly Posted for Bid: 9/18/2026

Posting Removed and Supplier Selection: 10/5/2026

Project Completion: 12/6/2026 or Golf Course Superintendent agreed to date