BUNKERS AND METHODS FOR USE IN PROVIDING THE SAME

Abstract

Bunkers and methods for use in providing the same may use slidably connectable slat members. For example, ground material may be removed at a perimeter of a bunker and the slidably connectable slat members may be driven into the ground material at the perimeter of the bunker forming a barrier.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/413,218 filed 12 Nov. 2010, entitled “BUNKERS AND METHODS FOR USE IN PROVIDING THE SAME,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a bunker, a method for use in providing the bunker, and apparatus to be used in providing the bunker.

Bunkers, e.g., sand bunkers, are integral parts of practically every golf course and often require special attention in their design, location, and configuration aimed at increasing challenge to golfers. Greens keepers and maintenance crews frequently spend considerable time in maintaining the bunkers and attempting to preserve the configuration and aesthetics of the bunkers. Rain may wash down the sides of the bunker, and golfers, animals, and golf maintenance equipment entering and leaving a bunker may cause damage to the bunkers. Further, various material such as water, soil, fertilizer, chemicals, biomass, etc. may also seep into the bunker, which may contaminate the sand located in the bunker.

Various methods of maintaining bunkers are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,340 issued to Carlson et al. describes the use of a plurality of open-top compartments placed above an excavated space.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of an exemplary method for use in providing a bunker, the method may include providing a plurality of slidably connectable material, removing ground material at a perimeter of a bunker, and driving the slidably connectable material into ground material at the perimeter of the bunker forming a barrier.

In another embodiment of an exemplary method for use in providing a bunker on a golf course, the method may include providing a plurality of slat members. Each of the plurality of slat members may be formed of solid material and may define: a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a width perpendicular to the length extending from a first connection interface to a second connection interface, and a thickness perpendicular to the width and the length. The width may be less than the length and the width may be greater than the thickness (e.g., the width may be greater than at least twice the thickness). Further, the first connection interface of each slat member may be slidably connectable to the second connection interface of a different slat member.

In at least one embodiment, the first connection interface of each slat member may include a tongue portion (e.g., a T-shaped tongue portion) and the second connection interface of each slat member may include a groove portion. Further, the tongue portion of the first connection interface of each slat member may be receivable within the groove portion of the second connection interface of a different slat member to slidably connect the first connection interface to the second connection interface.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of slat members may be restricted in a direction perpendicular to their lengths from disconnection from each other after being slidably connected. Further, each of the plurality of slat members may define a plane, and the first and second connection interfaces may be configured such that the plane of a first slat member of the plurality of slat members is restricted from moving more than 15 degrees away from the plane of a second slat member of the plurality of slat members when the first slat member is connected to the second slat member.

The exemplary method may further include removing ground material along at least a portion of a perimeter of a bunker to an excavation depth exposing an excavation ground surface and driving each of the plurality of slat members into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker such that the distal end of each of the plurality of slat members is driven beneath the excavation depth. In this embodiment, the plurality of slat members may be slidably connected to each other using the first and second connection interfaces while being driven into the excavation ground surface thereby forming a barrier of slat members along at least the portion of the perimeter of the bunker configured to restrict movement of material into the bunker from a ground area adjacent the barrier outside of the bunker.

In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of slat members may be driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker to a depth such that the proximal end of each of the plurality of slat members is proximate a height of a non-bunker ground surface adjacent the perimeter of the bunker.

In at least another embodiment, the exemplary method may include at least one of placing sand inside the bunker to a height proximate the proximal ends of the plurality of slat members after they have been driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker and locating sod over the proximal ends of the plurality of slat members after they have been driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker.

In another embodiment of an exemplary method for use in providing a bunker, the method may include providing a plurality of slat members and removing ground material along at least a portion of a perimeter of a bunker to an excavation depth exposing an excavation ground surface. The exemplary method may further include driving a first slat member of the plurality of slat members into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker such that the distal end of the first slat member is driven beneath the excavation depth, inserting the tongue portion at the distal end of a second slat member of the plurality of slat members into the groove portion at the proximal end of the first slat member, sliding the second slat member towards the excavation ground surface such that the distal end of the second slat member contacts the excavation ground surface, and driving the second slat member into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker such that the distal end of the second slat member is driven beneath the excavation depth. In this embodiment, at least the first and second slat member of the plurality of slat members, after being driven into the excavation ground surface, may form a portion of a barrier of slat members along at least the portion of the perimeter of the bunker configured to restrict movement of material into the bunker from ground area adjacent the barrier outside of the bunker.

In one embodiment of an exemplary bunker, the bunker may include a plurality of slat members and each of the plurality of slat members may be driven into the bunker ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker such that the distal end of each of the plurality of slat members is driven beneath the bunker ground surface. Further, the plurality of slat members may be slidably connected to each other using the first and second connection interfaces while being driven into the bunker ground surface forming a barrier of slat members along at least a portion of the perimeter of the bunker configured to restrict movement of material into the bunker from a ground area adjacent the barrier outside of the bunker.

The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. A more complete understanding will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary slat member that may be used with the exemplary bunkers and methods for use in providing the same described herein.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the slat member of FIG. 1 taken across line 2-2.

FIG. 2B is an end view of multiple exemplary slat members of FIG. 1 slidably connected together.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art bunker in disrepair.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bunker of FIG. 3 after removal of ground material along a portion of a perimeter of the bunker.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the bunker of FIG. 4 showing a slat member prior to being driven into ground material at the perimeter of the bunker.

FIG. 5B is an aerial view of the bunker of FIG. 5A showing a plurality of slat members at the perimeter of the bunker.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the bunker of FIG. 5A showing a user driving a slat member into ground material at the perimeter of the bunker.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the bunker of FIG. 5A after the slat member has been driven into ground material at the perimeter of the bunker.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bunker of FIG. 6 after sand has been placed in the bunker.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary bunker after a plurality of slat members have been driven into ground material at the perimeter of the bunker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from (e.g., still falling within) the scope of the disclosure presented hereby.

Exemplary embodiments shall be described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements (e.g., method steps, materials, etc.) from one embodiment may be used in combination with elements of the other embodiments, and that the possible embodiments of such methods and apparatus using combinations of features set forth herein is not limited to the specific embodiments shown in the figures and/or described herein. Further, it will be recognized that the embodiments described herein may include many elements that are not necessarily shown to scale. Still further, it will be recognized that the size and shape of various elements herein may be modified but still fall within the scope of the present disclosure, although certain one or more shapes and/or sizes, or types of elements, may be advantageous over others.

Various exemplary materials may be used with the exemplary methods described herein for use in providing a bunker. One such exemplary material may be the slat members 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-2B. A slat member 10 extends from a proximal end 12 to a distal end 14 defining a length 16 therebetween. In at least one embodiment, the slat member 10 is formed of solid material. In other words, the slat member 10 may not be hollow. In at least another embodiment, the slat member 10 may not be formed of solid material (e.g., cavities may exist within the slat member 10) as long as the slat member 10 is still capable of being driven into ground material, e.g., by a human using a hammer to strike the proximal end 12, without substantial axial compression.

In at least one embodiment, the slat member 10 may be impermeable such that the passage of liquid, water, sand, soils, etc. through the slat member 10 is impeded or prevented when installed as described herein. For example, the slat member 10 does not have holes therethrough. Further, the slat members 10 may be formed of a polymer, wood, metal, fiberglass, cement, and/or combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, the slat members 10 are formed of ultraviolet light-protected and weather-tolerant, recycled plastic. Still further, the slat members 10 may have various colors and/or patterns of colors. For example, the slat members 10 may be brown, yellow, “sand” colored, green, “grass” colored, brown, “soil” colored, red, “pine-needle” colored, black, grey, and/or any combination thereof.

The length 16 of the slat member 10 may vary depending on its use. For example, if the slat member 10 is intended to be used to provide a bunker having tall sidewalls, the slat member 10 may be longer than if used to provide a bunker having shorter sidewalls. Further, for example, if the slat member 10 is intended to be driven further into ground material than typical, the slat member 10 may need to be longer than typical. In at least one embodiment, the slat member 10 may have a length of about 4 inches to about 90 inches (e.g., about 4 inches, about 6 inches, about 10 inches, about 12 inches, about 16 inches, about 24 inches, about 36 inches, about 48 inches, about 60 inches, about 72 inches, about 84 inches, about 90 inches, or any range therebetween).

In at least another embodiment, the slat member 10 may have a length 16 at least as long as a height of a sidewall of a bunker such that the distal end 14 of the slat member 10 may be driven below an excavation ground surface of a bunker as described further herein with reference to FIGS. 4-7.

The slat member 10 further extends from a first connection interface 18 to a second connection interface 20 defining a width 22 therebetween. Similar to the length 16, the width 22 of the slat member may be dependent on use. In other words, certain applications of the slat members 10 may require longer or shorter widths than others. Further, in at least one embodiment, slat members 10 having different widths may be used together, e.g., slidably connected together to form a barrier. The width 22 may be determined by the size of a slat member 10 that a user, e.g., a human, may be capable of driving into ground material using a hammer. In other words, in some embodiments, the width 22 should not be so great than a human may not be able to drive it into ground material with a sledge hammer. In at least one embodiment, the width 22 may be about 1 inch to about 6 inches (e.g., about 1 inch, about 1.5 inches, about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, about 3 inches, about 3.25 inches, about 3.5 inches, about 4 inches, about 4.5 inches, about 5 inches, about 6 inches, or any range therebetween).

The slat member 10 further defines a thickness 28 perpendicular to the width 22 and the length 16 of the slat member 10 as shown in the cross-sectional view of the slat member 10 taken across line 2-2 as depicted in FIG. 2A. The thickness 28 of the slat member 10 may be defined in terms of the width 22. For example, the thickness 28 of the slat member 10 may be about less than half the width 22. In other words, the width 22 of the slat member 10 may greater than about at least twice the thickness 28. In at least one embodiment, the thickness 28 may be about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches (e.g., about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 0.875 inches, about 1 inch, about 1.25 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 2 inches, or any range therebetween).

The connection interfaces 18, 20 are configured such that multiple slat members 10 are slidably connectable with each other, e.g., as shown in FIG. 2B, to form a barrier 120. More specifically, the first connection interface 18 of a slat member 10 is slidably connectable to the second connection interface 20 of a different slat member 10. Each of the connection interfaces 18, 20 extends the entire length 16 of the slat member 10.

Further, after two slat members 10 have been slidably connected, movement of the slat members 10 with respect to each other may be restricted in a direction perpendicular to their lengths 16 and/or thicknesses 28 from being disconnected from each other. In other words, two slat members 10 may not be pulled apart laterally, e.g., the directions depicted by the double-sided arrow 15 in FIG. 2B, without deforming or breaking one or both of the connection interfaces 18, 20. For example, the two slat members 10 may form an interlocking connection such that the slat members 10 may only be removed from each other by sliding the slat members 10 with respect to one another in directions parallel to their lengths 16. This restrictive functionality may be provided by the type of connection interfaces 18, 20.

In at least one embodiment of a slat member 10, e.g., as depicted, the first connection interface 18 of the slat member 10 includes a tongue portion 24 and the second connection interface 20 of the slat member 10 includes a groove portion 26. The tongue portion 24 of the first connection interface 18 is receivable within the groove portion 26 of the second connection interface 20 to slidably connect the first connection interface 18 to the second connection interface 20. Each of the tongue portion 24 and the groove portion 26 extends the entire length 16 of the slat member 10, and with respect to the groove portion 26, the groove portion 26 opens at both the proximal end 12 and distal end 14. The tongue portions 24 and the groove portions 26 of the slat members 10 are configured to restrict movement of slat members 10 with respect to each in a direction perpendicular to their lengths 16 and/or thicknesses 28 from being disconnected from each other. For example, the tongue portions 24 and the groove portions 26 may form an interlocking connection such that the slat members 10 may only be removed from each other by sliding the slat members 10 with respect to one another in directions parallel to their lengths 16.

Further, in at least one embodiment, the tongue portion 24 of the slat member 10 is T-shaped. In other words, the tongue portion 24 may be shaped like the capital letter “T” with the base of the “T” attached to a body portion of the slat member 10 as shown in the cross-section of FIG. 2A. Further, the groove portion 26 may be sized and shaped to receive the T-shaped tongue portion 24.

In at least one embodiment, the groove portion 26 may be sized and shaped such that a certain amount of lateral and/or angular movement or “play” may be allowed between two connected slat members 10. For example, the first and second connection interfaces 18, 20 may be configured such that the slat members 10 may rotate with respect to one another about an axis aligned with the connection interfaces 18, 20 to, e.g., form a curved barrier. In at least one embodiment, a barrier 120 formed of slat members 10 may be rotatable with respect each other such that the barrier 120 can be curved to define a 13 inch radius.

Further, one way of describing this movement is using a plane 13 within which the slat member 10 lies as shown in FIG. 2B. The plane 13 of a slat member 10 is allowed to move less than about angle alpha away from the plane 13 of the adjacent, slidably connected slat member 10. In other words, the plane 13 of a slat member 10 is restricted from moving more than angle alpha, e.g., the upper limit, away from the plane of the connected slat member 10 in either direction. Angle alpha may be about 0 degrees to about 60 degrees (e.g., about 2 degrees, about 5 degrees, about 8 degrees, about 10 degrees, about 12 degrees, about 15 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 25 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 45 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 60 degrees, etc.). Further, certain ranges of rotational movement between slat members 10 may be more beneficial than others such as, e.g., rotational movement restricted by an angle alpha of about 15 degrees (e.g., to maintain structural stability while being capable of forming a curved barrier). Still further, in other words, each slat member 10, or plane 13 thereof, may be capable of rotating between 0 degrees and angle alpha away from the plane 13 of the adjacent slidably connected slat member 10 in either direction.

To slidably connect slat members 10 to each other, the tongue portion 24 at the distal end 14 of a slat member 10 may be inserted into the groove portion 26 at the proximal end 12 of a different slat member 10. After insertion, the slat members 10 may be slid relative to one another such that their distal ends 14 may be proximate or near one another. This slidable connection process may be repeated to connect a plurality of slat members 10 thereby forming a barrier 120, e.g., to be used in connection with the exemplary methods described herein.

As used herein, a “bunker” may be defined as a hazard on a golf course that is a hole or depression that may be filled in with sand, grass, and/or another material. By way of example, the bunker 100 described herein is filled with sand (e.g., a sand trap).

Over time, a bunker 100 on a golf course may be damaged and in a state of disrepair as depicted in FIG. 3. For example, the form and structure of the facings of the bunker 100 may be damaged and the sand 102 may be contaminated with soil, fertilizer, chemicals, biomass, and/or other material. Further, a ground area 104 proximate a perimeter of the sand bunker 100 and the sand of the bunker 100 may be comingled such that a defined edge of the bunker 100 does not exist and grass or weeds may grow in a portion of the bunker 100.

One embodiment of an exemplary method for use in providing a bunker 100 may include removing ground material (e.g., sand, sod, soil, biomass, etc.) along at least a portion of a perimeter 106 of a bunker 100 to an excavation depth 108 exposing an excavation ground surface 110. In one or more embodiments, the excavation ground surface 110 may be referred to as a bunker ground surface. In essence, the excavation ground surface 110 or the bunker ground surface is the surface beneath material that may be located in the bunker 100 such as, e.g., sand. The ground material may be removed using any method and/or apparatus known to be used to remove ground material. For example, the ground material may be manually removed using shovels or other hand tools. Further, for example, the ground material may be removed by a user using power equipment, e.g., a backhoe.

As shown, the ground material may be removed to define the desired perimeter 106 of the bunker 100. In other words, a user may select where the perimeter 106 of the bunker should be located and may proceed to remove ground material at the selected perimeter 106.

The method may further include providing a plurality of slat members 10 and driving each of the plurality of slat members 10 into the excavation ground surface 110 at the perimeter 106 of the bunker 100 such that the distal end 14 of each of the plurality of slat members 10 is driven beneath the excavation depth 108 (FIGS. 5A-6). The depth to which the distal ends 14 of the slat members 10 are driven below the excavation depth 108 may referred to as the driven depth 109. Generally, the driven depth 109 should be deep enough such that the slat members 10 restrict the movement of material (e.g., ground material, water, biomass, etc.) into the bunker 100 through the sidewall 111 and the excavation ground surface 110 (e.g., below the sand) of the bunker 100. In colder climates, the slat members 10 may be driven past the expected frost-line.

Further, the driven depth 109 may be defined in terms of the excavation depth 108. For example, the driven depth 109 may be greater than or less than about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 50%, about 70%, about 110%, about 130%, about 150%, about 200%, about 300%, about 400%, about 500%, about 600%, about 800%, about 1000%, about 1200%, or any range therebetween of the excavation depth 108. In at least one embodiment, the driven depth 109 is between about 50% and 400% of the excavation depth 108 (e.g., about 300%). In at least one embodiment, the driven depth 109 may be between about 2 inches and about 60 inches (e.g., about 2 inches, about 4 inches, about 6 inches, about 8 inches, about 10 inches, about 12 inches, about 14 inches, about 16 inches, about 18 inches, about 24 inches, about 36 inches, about 48 inches, about 60 inches, or anywhere therebetween). Further, each of the slat members 10 may be driven to different depths (e.g., a slat member 10 blocked by a rock, etc.)

Further, the plurality of slat members 10 may be slidably connected to each other using the first and second connection interfaces 18, 20 while being driven into the excavation ground surface 110 forming a barrier 120 of slat members 10 along at least a portion of the perimeter 106 of the bunker 100 configured to restrict movement of material into the bunker 100 from a ground area 104 adjacent the barrier outside of the bunker 100.

Driving each of the plurality of slat members 10 may include multiple processes. For example, a slat member 10 may be placed in the bunker 100 such that the distal end 14 of the slat member 10 is adjacent the excavation ground surface 110 at the perimeter 106 as shown in FIG. 5A.

As shown, the slat member 10 may be located adjacent the excavation wall 111 of the bunker 100 at the perimeter 106. In at least one embodiment, the desired perimeter 106 may located further from the excavation wall 111 instead of adjacent the excavation wall 111, e.g., if a user removed too much ground material, if a user had changed their mind after removal of ground material about the location of the perimeter 106, or for any other reason. If the desired perimeter 106 is located further within the bunker 100 than the excavation wall 111, a gap may exist between the slat members 10 the ground area 104 that may be filled-in with ground material after forming a barrier 120 using the slat members 10 as described herein.

A slat member 10 may be driven into the excavation ground surface 110 by a force 112 (e.g., by a user) at the perimeter 106 of the bunker 100 such that the distal end 114 of the slat member 10 is driven beneath the excavation depth 108 as shown in FIGS. 5C and 6. If the slat member 10 is the first slat member 10 of a plurality of slat members 10 to be driven into the excavation ground surface 110, it may be driven into the excavation ground surface 110 without slidably connecting it to another slat member 10. If the slat member 10 is at least the second slat member 10 of a plurality of slat members 10 to be driven into the excavation ground surface 110, it may be first slidably connected to the already driven slat member 10 while placing it in the bunker 100 such that the distal end 14 of the slat member 10 is adjacent the excavation ground surface 110 at the perimeter 106. A plurality of slat members 10 as shown in FIG. 5B form a barrier 120 between the ground area 104 and the bunker 100. This barrier 120 may restrict movement of material into the bunker 100 from the ground area 104 adjacent the barrier 120 outside of the bunker 100.

For example, the tongue portion 18 at the distal end 14 of the next slat member 10 may be inserted into the groove portion 20 at the proximal end 16 of the slat member 10 that has already been driven into the excavation ground surface 110. Then, such next slat member 10 may be slid towards the excavation ground surface 110 such that the distal end 14 of this slat member 10 contacts the excavation ground surface 110 and is ready to be driven into the excavation ground surface 110. Then, the next second slat member 10 may be driven into the excavation ground surface 110 at the perimeter 106 of the bunker 100 such that the distal end 14 of the slat member 10 is driven beneath the excavation depth 108.

This process may be repeated to slidably connect a plurality of slat members 10 and to drive the plurality of slat members 10 into the excavation ground surface 110 at the perimeter 106 of the bunker 100 such that the distal end 14 of each of the plurality of slat members 10 is driven beneath the excavation depth 108. Further, the plurality of slat members 10, after being slidably connected to each other and driven into the excavation ground surface 110, may form a barrier 120 of slat members 10 along at least a portion of or the entire the perimeter 106 of the bunker 100 configured to restrict movement of material into the bunker 100 from the ground area 104 adjacent the barrier 120 outside of the bunker 100.

Each of the plurality slat members 10 may be driven into the excavation ground surface 110 to a depth such that the proximal ends 12 of the slat members 10 are proximate (e.g., close to, near, just beneath the sod level 113, etc.) a height of a non-bunker ground surface 105 adjacent the perimeter 106 of the bunker 100 as shown in FIG. 6. Further, in at least one embodiment, the proximal ends 12 of the slat members 10 may be cut, e.g., using a saw, such that the cut ends of the slat members may be proximate a height of the non-bunker ground surface 105 adjacent the perimeter 106 of the bunker 100 (e.g., if slat members 10 having uniform lengths 16 are driven to different depths, and consequently, their proximal ends 12 are at different heights).

The method may further include filling in the bunker 100 with sand 107 and covering the proximal ends 12 of the plurality of slat members 10 with ground material, e.g., sod, as shown in FIG. 7. In at least one embodiment, the slat members 10 or a portion thereof may be left exposed (as opposed to covering with sand and/or ground material) as a sidewall of the bunker 100.

Although the ground area 104 adjacent the bunker 100 is depicted in FIGS. 3-7 as being substantially flat, the ground area 104 adjacent the bunker 100 may have any configuration or orientation (e.g., slope, etc.). An additional exemplary bunker 100 in which a plurality of slat members 10 have been used is depicted in FIG. 8 that has a sloped ground area 104. In addition, although not described herein, the ground area 104 adjacent the bunker 100 may also be constructed or reconstructed at the same time as the exemplary methods described herein.

The complete disclosure of the patents, patent documents, and publications cited in the Background, the Summary, the Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments, and elsewhere herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were individually incorporated. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described above. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many embodiments are possible within the scope of the disclosure. Other variations, modifications, and combinations of the various components and methods described herein can certainly be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A method for use in providing a bunker on a golf course comprising:

providing a plurality of slat members, wherein each of the plurality of slat members is formed of solid material and defines: a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a width perpendicular to the length extending from a first connection interface to a second connection interface, wherein the width is less than the length, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member is slidably connectable to the second connection interface of a different slat member, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member comprises a tongue portion and the second connection interface of each slat member comprises a groove portion, and further wherein the tongue portion of the first connection interface of each slat member is receivable within the groove portion of the second connection interface of a different slat member to slidably connect the first connection interface to the second connection interface, and a thickness perpendicular to the width and the length, wherein the width is greater than the thickness;

removing ground material along at least a portion of a perimeter of a bunker to an excavation depth exposing an excavation ground surface;

driving a first slat member of the plurality of slat members into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker such that the distal end of the first slat member is driven beneath the excavation depth;

inserting the tongue portion at the distal end of a second slat member of the plurality of slat members into the groove portion at the proximal end of the first slat member;

sliding the second slat member towards the excavation ground surface such that the distal end of the second slat member contacts the excavation ground surface; and

driving the second slat member into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker such that the distal end of the second slat member is driven beneath the excavation depth,

wherein at least the first and second slat member of the plurality of slat members, after being driven into the excavation ground surface, form a portion of a barrier of slat members along at least the portion of the perimeter of the bunker configured to restrict movement of material into the bunker from ground area adjacent the barrier outside of the bunker.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second slat members are driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker to a depth such that the proximal ends of the first and second slat members are proximate a height of a non-bunker ground surface adjacent the perimeter of the bunker.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second slat members are restricted in a direction perpendicular to their lengths from disconnection from each other after being slidably connected.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tongue portion of each of the plurality of slat members defines a T-shape.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising placing sand inside the bunker to a height proximate the proximal ends of at least the first and second slat members after they have been driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising locating sod over the proximal ends of at least the first and second slat members after they have been driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second slat members defines a plane, and wherein the first and second connection interfaces are configured such that the plane of the first slat member is restricted from moving more than 15 degrees away from the plane of the second slat member when the first slat member is slidably connected to the second slat member.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the width of each of the plurality of slat members is greater than at least twice the thickness of each of the plurality of slat members.

9. A method for use in providing a bunker on a golf course comprising:

providing a plurality of slat members, wherein each of the plurality of slat members is formed of solid material and defines: a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a width perpendicular to the length extending from a first connection interface to a second connection interface, wherein the width is less than the length, and wherein the first connection interface of each slat member is slidably connectable to the second connection interface of a different slat member, and a thickness perpendicular to the width and the length, wherein the width is greater than the thickness;

removing ground material along at least a portion of a perimeter of a bunker to an excavation depth exposing an excavation ground surface; and

driving each of the plurality of slat members into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker such that the distal end of each of the plurality of slat members is driven beneath the excavation depth, wherein the plurality of slat members are slidably connected to each other using the first and second connection interfaces while being driven into the excavation ground surface forming a barrier of slat members along at least the portion of the perimeter of the bunker configured to restrict movement of material into the bunker from a ground area adjacent the barrier outside of the bunker.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of slat members are driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker to a depth such that the proximal end of each of the plurality of slat members is proximate a height of a non-bunker ground surface adjacent the perimeter of the bunker.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of slat members are restricted in a direction perpendicular to their lengths from disconnection from each other after being slidably connected.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first connection interface of each slat member comprises a tongue portion and the second connection interface of each slat member comprises a groove portion, and further wherein the tongue portion of the first connection interface of each slat member is receivable within the groove portion of the second connection interface of a different slat member to slidably connect the first connection interface to the second connection interface.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tongue portion of each of the plurality of slat members comprises a T-shape.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein driving each of the plurality of slat members into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker comprises:

driving a first slat member of the plurality of slat members into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker,

inserting the tongue portion at the distal end of a second slat member of the plurality of slat members into the groove portion at the proximal end of the first slat member,

sliding the second slat member towards the excavation ground surface such that the distal end of the second slat member contacts the excavation ground surface, and

driving the second slat member into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising placing sand inside the bunker to a height proximate the proximal ends of the plurality of slat members after they have been driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising locating sod over the proximal ends of the plurality of slat members after they have been driven into the excavation ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of slat members defines a plane, and wherein the first and second connection interfaces are configured such that the plane of a first slat member of the plurality of slat members is restricted from moving more than 15 degrees away from the plane of a second slat member of the plurality of slat members when the first slat member is slidably connected to the second slat member.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the width of each of the plurality of slat members is greater than at least twice the thickness of each of the plurality of slat members.

19. A bunker on a golf course defining a perimeter and a bunker ground surface beneath the material located in the bunker, wherein the bunker comprises:

a plurality of slat members, wherein each of the plurality of slat members is formed of solid material and defines: a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a width perpendicular to the length extending from a first connection interface to a second connection interface, wherein the width is less than the length, and wherein the first connection interface of each slat member is slidably connectable to the second connection interface of a different slat member, and a thickness perpendicular to the width and the length, wherein the width is greater than at least twice the thickness,

wherein each of the plurality of slat members are driven into the bunker ground surface at the perimeter of the bunker such that the distal end of each of the plurality of slat members is driven beneath the bunker ground surface, and wherein the plurality of slat members are slidably connected to each other using the first and second connection interfaces while being driven into the bunker ground surface forming a barrier of slat members along at least a portion of the perimeter of the bunker configured to restrict movement of material into the bunker from a ground area adjacent the barrier outside of the bunker.

20. The bunker of claim 19, wherein the plurality of slat members are restricted in a direction perpendicular to their lengths from being disconnection from each other after being slidably connected to form the barrier.