Oakland Hill's new look

[T_MacWood]

Looking at the Ryder Cup reports in both GOLF and GOLF DIGEST I was surprised to see the new look of the bunkers. Very clean edges, big lazy curves, no jagged RTJ rough spewn edges. It doesn't look anything like the famous monster RTJ created--what gives?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Tom,

I thought the same when I visited during the final match of the US Amateur a few years ago.

RTJ's bunkers were very rugged and extremely attractive during the 1951 US Open [aside from the fact a few, at least, are located in contrived, unnatural spots]. Since though, Oakland Hills' bunkers have become sterile and plain. Run-of-the-mill, really.

[kgrace]

Tom,
I don't think much has changed with the bunkers for quite a while - 15+ years.  Having played high school matches and caddying there in the early 1990's the bunkers have always been cleanly defined.  They may have looked a bit more rugged in the US Opens, but this had much more to do with the long rough.
Kevin