Question Mark bunker at Digby Pines

[Adam_F_Collins]

Does anyone have any idea if the Question mark bunker(s) short and right of the green on number 11 at Stanley Thompson's Digby Pines is an original feature?

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, number 11 is a 285 yard par 4 which drives over a deep ravine and then uphill and slightly to the right. It's a real decision-making hole where you could try to drive it, or hit any number of irons. Short and right of the green is a pair of bunkers which form a perfect "?"

It's subtle from the tee, but visible. Close up it is very clear and of course - easy to see on the map

http://www.signatureresorts.com/pines/p_golf_idx.html

(there's a .pdf of the course guide if anyone is interested)

[Adam_F_Collins]

I went down to Digby for my annual trip this weekend (and played in the rain and 50 mph winds - and had a great time as always on one of the best deals in golf - two rounds on a Stanley Thompson and accommodation at a 1929 resort hotel with a huge buffet breakfast for $109.00 Canadian or about $85.00 US). This course was built by the same CP Rail group that built St.George's, Jasper and Banff.

I played the 11th twice and thought about this again. Does anyone know the answer?

It's so fitting for this little hole. And done so well, that you don't really notice it unless you really look. It's perhaps the one place where a bunker shaped like a symbol actually works.

Is it original?

[Tyler Kearns]

Adam,

While I do not know for certain, I'd guess that it is an original Thompson bunker. Thompson was a little eccentric. Proof: "Cleopatra" at Jasper where the mounding resembles a reclining nude female from the tee. The fact that he can incorporate such features in such a manner that it is not judged gimmicky is a testimate to his genius and sense of humour.

TK

[ian]

Lots of examples of his sence of humour.

The horseshoe bunker fronting the right of the 2nd (orginal routing) hole. Last time I saw a picture, this bunker was gone. The horseshoe was 2 feet tall and 18" wide.

The Laird bunker at Highland Links was originally to have looked like the head of a man.

Cleopatra is one of many examples of sybols in the landscape.

[Adam_F_Collins]

Ian,

The "Laird" bunker?

Hmmm. I wonder if that would have been a likeness of Robert Laird Borden, the late Prime Minister - and, I believe, a Nova Scotian...

As Tyler mentioned, the ability to use such humour without it taking over or appearing too gimicky is wonderful - something to be discovered.

That's wonderful.

I have yet to mention the question mark bunker at Digby to anyone who has noticed it ...

...and it's right there in front of you, clear as day - but just the right balance, so you have to be sensitive to discover it.

[Jim Thompson]

Maybe he was just trying to keep agnostics out of the club?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Adam,

A "laird" is a Scottish landowner. According to Highlands Links' history, Thompson named the 13th hole as a tribute to the people whose land was expropriated when the federal government created Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

[Adam_F_Collins]

Thanks, Jeff. I guess it was the least he could do.