"(Easthampton's back nine is incredible), particularly the bunker construction, which is arguably as awe inspiring as anything done in the last 30 years (the Pine Valley waste areas on the front are pretty awesome too)" GeoffShac.
That's a big statement but I believe it's true. Even more specifically the bunkering to the left of the fairway on #11 and the bunkering to the left of the fairway on #14 (to look at this bunkering from the tee will make you want to paint a picture!). The way these bunkers are constructed as well as the natural grasses and the way the bunkers are perfectly situated into the ground is as good as can be found.
I did play Easthampton about a year ago and the few more times I've been out that way I have gotten up early, gone and got some coffee, parked my car along side #11, walked through the hedge onto the course and just stared at those bunkers mentioned above for a while--they are that good.
I certainly will make a special effort to go see Tallgrass and Stonebridge too.
The bunkers across the fairway on #9 Inniscrone are worth studying too, if you're into really good and well situated bunkers and there are a number of extraordinary bunkers sprinkled around Applebrook too.
All the bunkers mentioned are a bit of a particular type but regardless, Geoff is correct they are as awe inspiring as can be found. When he says "as awe inspiring as any done in the last 30 years", I'd like to know which those are that were done 30 years ago that are as awe inpiring.
Some others that should be mentioned for their creativity and naturalness-plenty of them on Pacific Dunes, particularly those fronting #10. Somebody had to convince me those ones really were not nature!
The all time best bunker I've ever seen? The bunker flanking the approach to #13 Pine Valley. In the spring it is as rugged and pretty as I've ever seen bunkering with the flowering whatever throughout it. This one is not only one of the best looking I've ever seen it is also as strategically well placed and functional as I've ever seen.