Each time we get a significant rain event, our creeks swell putting pressure on the structural integrity of our bridges. Fortunately, we only have four, two of which are wooden. Unfortunately, they are all on the same creek, which carries all of the water from the golf course, parking lots, etc, and located at the lowest elevation point of the golf course, before exiting the property. Last winter, the walk bridge on #5 failed. It was only a matter of time until another bridge would fail, which it did in October during a 7" storm. This time it was the cart bridge on #5. The main reason for its failure was the inadequately sized pipe running under it. It simply was not large enough to handle large volumes of water. As the creek rose, and the pipe overwhelmed with water, the water would eat away at the rock facade. This happened time after time. The decision was made to replace it with another wooden bridge, one that allows full volumes of water to pass safely under it. The Club contracted Georgia based Creative Bridge Designs to do the work. I personally had experience with them as I hired them to do all the bridge installations at The Hasentree Club, where I was Superintendent for the construction and grow-in of the golf course. Our staff handled all of the demolition work prior to CBD arriving this week Monday. By Thursday afternoon the bridge was built. Next week our staff will clean up the area, tie in the new bridge to the cart path, and have it back open for traffic. Now that three of the four bridges are wooden, let the hedging begin as to when the final one will fail.
