Degrade: 1: to reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree. 2: Decompose.
I don’t post as much as I used too but wanted to run these photos as an example of what time, lack of proper maintenance and lack of understanding classic architecture can do to a hole. This is one of the few web sites which an honest discussion can take place about architecture and this is a perfect case study in changes to a hole.
I don’t have the ability to post the pictures of what the hole looked liked in the 1920’s and the 1930’s but the hole (a short uphill par 3) originally started out with a Biarritz green. There is/was a very large bunker at the front of the green which swept all the way around the left (right on the picture). One of the first changes I can see is that the bunkers were cut in half allowing players to walk to the next tee.
Over the years the hole has continued to evolve until the current condition. Trees come and go, the bunkers have changed and the obvious cart path has been added. The green now has a very slight slant and is flat in many sections.
The hole was changed in 1953 prior to the club (first picture) hosting the US Open and again in 1965 again prior to hosting another US Open.
Some of the more detailed changes include,
1. Flattening of the green
2. Bunkers eroding into current shapes.
3. The green evolving into an oval.
4. Cart path installed.
5. With the cart path installed, the loss of one of the great bunkers in the back of the green.
6. Mounding around green and bunkers have been reduced.
7. The tee (originally a walk off tee) has been built up around 3-4 feet.
8. The loss of trees and failure to replace them (some at the request of the USGA) has opened the hole up.
I have discussed this with the superintendent and the consulting architect but neither has an interest in restoring this or many of the other holes which have degraded. Sadly the course continues to drop in rankings despite fantastic and much better conditions of the grass. The loss of trees resulting in better air circulation and sunlight have improved the condition of the grass considerably.