they did a great job.
The hole is really looking terrific.
The fronting, deep trench bunker is a ferocious hazard and in total harmony with many of the more punitive bunkers at GCGC,
and, the rear, semi-circular bunkers look fabulous as well, with the backslope of the green/surrounds feeding into them.
The green looks to be much larger than its predecessor, probably around 8,000 sq/ft and the mounds are internal, within
the putting surface.
While the mounds aren't as pronounced as the originals, you can only construct that which you can maintain/mow, and in
that regard they're terrific. At today's speeds, and today the greens were probably 11+, you couldn't have steep mounds.
With some of the backround trees that have been removed, the green appears to sit above grade, providing the golfer a rather
intimidating view from the tee, which has been lengthened. The hole probably plays about 210 from the back of the tee to the center of the green and probably about 225 to the back of the green. For those prefering not to play the back tees, green and black, the white tee is about 140, making it manageable for the higher handicap player.
Concave bunkers, which appear throughout the golfcourse, starting on the first hole, have also been added, and there will be fairway short of the fronting deep bunker.
When the hole opens next spring, and I certainly hope that Mother Nature is kind to the club this fall, winter and spring, I think those playing the hole for the first time, will be shocked, in a positive sense, by the transformation. I think that the contestants in the Travis Tournament will be blown away. I also think that the added length will offer plenty of challenge to the better player.
No more six irons into the green. One of the prevailing winds should also challenge the golfer.
It's a really, really neat hole, a true "Garden City" hole that will be far more appealing than it's predecesor,
Interestingly enough, the 3rd hole, many years ago, had the mounds flanking the left side of the greens, within the putting surface.
Since the 3rd hole is one of the original holes, that would leave me to believe that Emmett was the creator of or genesis for the mounds within the original 12th green.
I'm really impressed by the attempt to replicate the original 12th hole, I think it's going to be a terrific hole for every level of golfer.
But, wait, there's more good news.
One of my pet peeves, at GCGC and elsewhere, was that the bunkers were allowed to be buffered by strips of "protective" rough, stopping balls from entering the bunkers.
Even at Garden City, the bunkers were allowed to become "offset" from the fairway/green.
Soon, like Mountain Ridge, the bunkers will be returned, functionallyl, to play, by having the buffers of rough removed.
No where is this more noticeable than on # 13 where fairway and greenside bunkers have significant buffers of rough protecting them.
On my next visit, I'll try to take some photos and then forward them to Bill Brightly for posting.
While photos tend to lose depth and elevation, they should give you a good indication of the green/surrounds and the work in progress.
Now, if they'd just shift the second half of the 7th fairway and restore the old right side trench bunker.
P.S.
I believe that the dramatic and stunning result at # 12 will lead other clubs to embark upon restorations of some of their lost holes.
P.S.S
Tom Doak,
Time to edit "The Confidential Guide"
"The 18 Greatest Holes in golf that no longer exist"