13th green bunkering at West Sussex - when was it changed?

[Scott Warren]

This picture was one of the main things that lured me so strongly to play West Sussex:



But here is how the green in question now looks:



Of course I never saw the former bunkering in the flesh, but while the current bunkering is in keeping with the rest of the bunkering on the course, I really liked the kind of rough and unkempt look of those old bunkers.

Does anyone know when the change was made and why?

[Kevin Pallier]

Scott

I believe you are referring to the move from the sod wall to flashed faces ?

Personally - I dont mind the later at West Sussex.

[Scott Warren]

I agree, it looks really good, especially on the hole in question, the fairway traps on 3, 10, 14 and 17 and the greenside traps on 5, 8, 14 and 18

How similar is it to the kind of bunkering you find on the Sandbelt in Melbourne?

[Kevin Pallier]

Scott

Replace the heather with grasses and you wouldn't know the difference.

[Paul_Turner]

The first one is my old photo (phew 8 years!)

Donald Steel was the consulting architect at West Sussex so perhaps it's now the work of Mackenzie/Ebert?

The clubhouse has a few great vintage aerial photographs and from my quick look 8 years ago I don't think Steel was sticking fully to the original plan.  From hazy memories of that aerial, I can't remember seeing the Royal Melbourne style traps on the inside corner of the 10th fairway. From that same aerial,  I don't remember what the 13th was like, but I do recall a huge bunker now buried in the heather in front of the tee of the great 16th.

I kind of remember weird and wonderful shaped bunkers for that old aerial, I'd love for someone to dig up a copy.

[Sean_A]

Wow!  Who indeed changed the look?  I much prefer the old grass faces because the bunkers better integrate into the surrounds.  Why the desire to make bunkering stand up and shout so much?

Ciao