Formed over 300 million years ago, high-purity deposits of silica quartz sand located in northeast Ohio became the source for a unique type of bunker sand created to fill an unmet need in the golf market. The product, PRO/ANGLE® bunker sand, is sought out by golfers and golf course superintendents nationwide. This blog will explain how PRO/ANGLE bunker sand came to be and how, after Covia acquired the brand, it has become one of the premier products in BESTSAND’s bunker sand portfolio.
PRO/ANGLE®: Meeting the Market Need for 100% Angular Bunker Sand
In the mid-1990s, the golf industry faced a growing demand for bunker sand consisting of only angular sand grains to provide unique performance and consistency. At that time, no such product was available to meet these needs. Recognizing this gap, R.W. Sidley, a construction materials company, developed PRO/ANGLE 100% angular bunker sand. This product was engineered specifically to leverage the advantages of angularity—improved drainage, high angle of repose, better slope retention and enhanced playability.
PRO/ANGLE was first installed in the bunkers at the NCR Country Club in Dayton, Ohio, setting a new standard for playability and golf course maintenance. Since then, it has become a staple for top courses, with its use expanding to golf facilities in 29 states and Canada. PRO/ANGLE is produced exclusively in northeast Ohio and is made by crushing pure quartz sand into angular particles. This regional exclusivity and precision production process ensures that every shipment of PRO/ANGLE meets the high standards expected by golf course superintendents and players.
BESTSAND and PRO/ANGLE Team Up
In 2024, BESTSAND’s parent company, Covia, acquired R.W. Sidley’s Industrial Minerals Division, including the Thompson, Ohio, silica sand mining operation responsible for producing PRO/ANGLE. Since this acquisition, PRO/ANGLE has been integrated into BESTSAND’s comprehensive bunker sand portfolio. It joins BESTSAND SIGNATURE 900, SIGNATURE 700 and SIGNATURE 500 high-quality bunker sand. BESTSAND SIGNATURE 900 is another angular bunker sand option that provides excellent ball support and achieves high penetrometer readings.
Golf course superintendents can now choose from a broader range of bunker sands while receiving the expert customer service and unmatched logistics that BESTSAND is known for. According to BESTSAND Sales Manager Terry Gwinn, the merger is a win-win for customers. “These brands both have excellent reputations for quality and customer satisfaction, and they complement each other very well. Now it will be easier than ever for us to meet customer demand and manage logistics efficiently.”
PRO/ANGLE’s Unique Geology
“No one has the geology that we have. It is truly a unique selling point,” said Eric Ludewig, who joined the BESTSAND team from R.W. Sidley as a Sales Manager. BESTSAND’s raw materials come from a 300-million-year-old glacial deposit in northeast Ohio called the Sharon Conglomerate. Dating back to the Pennsylvanian period, this geological formation gives PRO/ANGLE the characteristics that lead to its outstanding purity and high quality:
- Ancient Formation: The Sharon Conglomerate is composed mainly of high purity quartz sandstone. It was formed over time as glaciers advanced and retreated, leaving behind a conglomerate or mixture of rocks and pebbles.
- High Quartz Content: The formation’s high quartz content (over 96% SiO2) and medium-grained quartz sandstone make it an ideal source for the production of PRO/ANGLE sand.
- Precision Production: PRO/ANGLE sand is produced through a specialized crushing and grinding process that fractures the silica quartz pebbles into angular particles. This process ensures that PRO/ANGLE bunker sand particles are consistently 100% angular. Triple washing ensures that each shipment is free from other materials.
What is Special About 100% Angular Sand?
Angularity describes how many edges a particle has, and it is classified on a spectrum from very angular to well-rounded. With more edges, angular particles resist compaction compared to rounded particles. In a golf bunker, angular sand provides better ball support and is more likely to stay in place, even on steep bunker faces. This means that when a golf ball lands in a bunker with angular sand, it is less likely to produce a “fried egg lie” — a ball sitting in the middle of a small crater formed on impact.
Why Golf Courses Select PRO/ANGLE
Golf course superintendents choose PRO/ANGLE bunker sand not only for its stable ball support and enhanced playability but also for its superior infiltration rate and overall durability. This translates to cost-effective bunker maintenance with less time needed to prepare bunkers after rainstorms. The angular particle shape of PRO/ANGLE delivers several key benefits:
- Excellent drainage: The angular structure allows water to flow through quickly, reducing pooling and promoting rapid drying.
- Superior slope retention: The sand’s angularity helps it adhere better to steep bunker faces, enabling bunkers to maintain their structure even after heavy rain.
- Greater wind resistance: The weight and shape of the particles reduce the likelihood of sand displacement due to wind, keeping bunkers in optimal condition.
- Better overall product retention: The angular particles interlock, preventing the sand from washing out during storms. This reduces the need for frequent maintenance or replenishment and improves course readiness.
- Appearance: With its consistent off-white color and high-purity composition, PRO/ANGLE maintains a professional, premium look that shows bunker contour and enhances a course’s overall aesthetic.
Why Golfers May Prefer PRO/ANGLE
While bunker sand selection is just one factor among many that influence how a player interacts with a course, PRO/ANGLE bunker sand has developed a following, as it provides unique benefits for players.
- Superior support: The angular shape of PRO/ANGLE resists ball impact, reducing fried egg lies and creating more playable shots in bunkers.
- Predictable play, consistent feel: PRO/ANGLE creates a firm and consistent surface across all bunkers, providing uniform playability and feel from shot to shot.
PRO/ANGLE and BESTSAND: One-Stop Shop
With the integration of PRO/ANGLE, BESTSAND now offers a one-stop solution for high-performance bunker sand products to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Every product is backed by the same dedication to quality that has earned the brand the trust of top golf courses nationwide. Whether customers seek the angular precision of PRO/ANGLE or the high-quality blends available in the BESTSAND Signature bunker sand portfolio, they can expect to benefit from:
- Consistent Supply and Quality: Our rich supply of high-quality raw materials, alongside robust mining, processing and quality controls, allows us to deliver consistently high-quality products.
- Powerful Logistics: We have the industry’s most comprehensive and accessible distribution network, supporting delivery by truck, rail and barge to golf courses across the U.S and Canada.
- Industry Knowledge and Expertise: Superintendents gain access to a team of experts with decades of industry knowledge who deliver unmatched customer service.
Elevate your golf course with PRO/ANGLE 100% angular bunker sand and BESTSAND, offering the ultimate solutions for high-performance bunkers and more. Contact BESTSAND today to discover how our premium sand products can help you achieve consistent, reliable results that your facility team and players will appreciate.
