I have given you six photos in an effort to explain the sheer scale of these bunkers. The bunker with the person in it is 16 feet deep. That bunker is 150 yards from the green. I included the back side photo to give you perspective on how deep they were built. Finally the last photo is how they were built.
This is from the front tees looking at the pair of very deep bunkers, approximately 12 feet followed by 16 feet.
The two bunkers closer up
This shows Jim Sara in the bunker and helps provide the scale
This is a side view to show the mounds and there dominance over the bunker, and the challenge you face in advancing the ball
This view is from behind, this shows the extra six feet that were added to make the last bunker so deep
Finally, this is how the mounds were built
Where am I going you ask. There was conciderable effort to make these so extremely penal. Was it done for psychological reasons or just sheer difficulty? Was he adding character or showing a sence of humour?
Does this quote offer an explaination for them?
"Nature must always be the architect's model. The golf course should fit the terrain. The lines of the bunkers or greens must not be sharp or harsh, but easy and rolling. Every now and then I get a mean streak and like to fool the boys a little. But, I never hide any danger. It's all out there for the golfer to see and study."
They are two of my favourites, and I would never change a thing about there character; but I found myself standing in them today saying what inspired him to make these so bold and so deep in an already great setting. Your thoughts?