
26 Oct GolfPass Grass Guru – Sheshan International Golf Club
WGC-HSBC Championship • Sheshan International Golf Club • Hole 9• Par 4 • 466 yds • by Eric MacPherson
This week, we have the final event on the tour’s swing through Asia – The WGC-HSBC Champions. The WGC brings us to Sheshan International. Coming from Nine Bridges, this course is a major downgrade in terms of bunkering.
It’s a major downgrade, unless you’re a fan of bunker fingers. Let me tell you pretty much every hole has several bunkers, with each having several bunker fingers themselves. The fairway bunker on hole 9 though takes the cake with 8 fingers.
I hate bunker fingers. Sure, they allow for ease of access to the bunker and can occasionally look cool, but they pile on the work for a greenskeeper. How much work can that possibly be? Well, if you’re working at a course that hosts a tour event you’re looking at a ton of work. First, you’re looking at spraying every individual finger on every bunker and in the case of this hole 9 behemoth that alone is 8 separate walking sprays in hot equipment lugging a heavy hose. After that you’re looking at fly-mowing each individual finger, and on top of everything they are probably hand watering them because they are quick to dry out. Sheshan is not kidding around with them either. They have over 133 bunker fingers…yes I counted. Over 133 bunker fingers that need maintenance.
Sheshan is not kidding around with them either. They have over 133 bunker fingers...yes I counted. Over 133 bunker fingers that need maintenance.
Sheshan is not kidding around with them either. They have over 133 bunker fingers...yes I counted. Over 133 bunker fingers that need maintenance.
Starting to see why I’m not the biggest fan of bunker fingers? Sheshan International must have some seriously dedicated crew members or some really nimble sprayers. Either way, if you’re a fan of those little green tendrils you’ll love this course for me it’s a pass.
Bonus