Pictures of the 14th at Cruden Bay

[Ian Andrew]

As promiced: a set of photos of the revised 14th at Cruden Bay taken last week.

I'm going to leave you to decide about the work for yourself. I think you can find Frank's explaination for the work in his interview. I know I've read it somewhere recently.
 
The front view of the altered approach into the punchbowl green


Looking back from the left side


Looking back from behind.


There has been lots of work throughout - around 20 bunkers rebuilt or relocated. An example: the bunker on the 4th is now in the middle of the hole - you can still see the remenents of the old bunker on the left.

[Sean_A]

I don't see what all the fuss is about.  It looks like the front of the green was graded to be not quite so steep as before.  Though I really don't like that bunker, but I never liked that bunker.

The change on 4 is good stuff. 

Ian - do you have more pix?

Ciao

[Tom_Doak]

Ian:

Did they change 15 and 16 as part of the change to 14, or did they just alter that approach?  It doesn't look very much different to me, but it's hard to tell from a couple of pictures.

The change on #4 is more significant, but I'm not sure if I like it or not.  You can't bounce a shot into the right half of the green because of the slope ... to bounce one in at all you used to have to play just inside the left bunker.  Now, you'd have to play AROUND the new bunker if you are not going to fly it in [if they maintain that ground as fairway and not rough].

[SPDB]

Old 4


Old 14

[Tim Nugent]

Tom, I was talking w/an American member - Ed Garver (from Tampa) in the clubhouse about #14.  He told me that this is the second time in as many years that #14 has been rebuilt - primarily due to turf problems.
The temporary green is atop the ridge before the green and makes for a very difficult approach.  I actually thinks playing to the punchbowl makes the hole easier.  The only work on #15 appears to be that the tee was also rebuilt.  He said that 15 was going to be replaced with a new par 3 back by #12 playing out toward the ocean.  Say goodby to another blind par 3.  16 stays as is but at least you don't have to walk back blindly into the line of play to ring the bell by the tee.  It should also free up the congestion in that area.
As for #4, looks like they moved the bunker primarily to put in the line of play from the members tee rather than have it in the line of play from the championship tee.  Perhaps because of the steep slope in front of the green they determined that it would be more penal to miss the bunker than actually be in it.

[Andrew Mitchell]

As I've only played Cruden Bay once its difficult to tell from those pictures eaxctly what they've done to the 14th.  Has the crest of the hill been reduced?  Does this give you any view of the green or the flag for your approach?

[Tim Nugent]

Andrew, no and no.  The temp green is atop of the ridge, therefore hasn't been altered.