Bunker Style Change - Smart, stupid, depends?

[Greg Tallman]

Is it feasible to completely change the bunker style on an existing course? Say you have a course with "80s style bunkering" and were due for a bunker renovation and were thinking of introducing a new style.

Thoughts?

[Brent Hutto]

I think build 'em in whatever style suits your fancy. Personally, I don't get real excited by what style of bunker there is on a course unless it sticks out like a sore thumb as totally out of place.

[Ken Fry]

Would it be fair to say Pinehurst #2 has changed their bunker style many times through the current renovation?

Sometimes not always for the better:

Pebble Beach?

Augusta National?

Ken

[Tom_Doak]

Sure it's feasible.  Camargo Club changed all its bunkers from Seth Raynor style to Bob von Hagge style in the 1960's, and we changed them back in the 1990's.  It can be really costly but it is being done all the time.

[PCCraig]

Is it feasible to completely change the bunker style on an existing course? Say you have a course with "80s style bunkering" and were due for a bunker renovation and were thinking of introducing a new style.

Thoughts?

Sure it's feasible. My 125 year old home course is rebuilding its "80's style bunkering" into something that's intended to be more classical-looking. You can see a fair amount of before/after and construction photos are the golf course superintendent's twitter page @tcturf

[corey miller]

It must be feasible as we had a noted (at that time, at least in the NYC area) restoration architect tell our committee that he would build any style we wanted on our Macdonald/Raynor course.

[PCCraig]

It must be feasible as we had a noted (at that time, at least in the NYC area) restoration architect tell our committee that he would build any style we wanted on our Macdonald/Raynor course.

Ah, a Green Committee's dream architect...the one that will do whatever they want.

[Greg Tallman]

What are some of the best examples of a drastic change?

[Howard Riefs]

What are some of the best examples of a drastic change?

I'd give a look at both Flossmoor (Ray Hearn) and LACC, North (Hanse/Shackelford). Following are a few resources:

Flossmoor CC
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/flossmoor-november-2012/
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/flossmoor-country-club/
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41166.msg871828/topicseen.html#msg871828

LACC, North
http://persimmongolftoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NorthCourse_Commemorative_Edition.pdf
http://www.asgca.org/case-studies/213-program-and-design-narrative-riddells-bay-golf-and-country-club
http://www.rightonpar.com/2011/12/07/los-angeles-cc-restoration/

[Sean_A]

What are some of the best examples of a drastic change?

Aberdovey.

Ciao

[Greg Tallman]

What are some of the best examples of a drastic change?

I'd give a look at both Flossmoor (Ray Hearn) and LACC, North (Hanse/Shackelford). Following are a few resources:

Flossmoor CC
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/flossmoor-november-2012/
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/flossmoor-country-club/
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41166.msg871828/topicseen.html#msg871828

LACC, North
http://persimmongolftoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NorthCourse_Commemorative_Edition.pdf
http://www.asgca.org/case-studies/213-program-and-design-narrative-riddells-bay-golf-and-country-club
http://www.rightonpar.com/2011/12/07/los-angeles-cc-restoration/

Thank you. LACC provides a good reference. The improvement is amazing and the pre reno bunkering is similar to what I am talking about needing a fresher look.

[Phil McDade]

What are some of the best examples of a drastic change?

I'd give a look at both Flossmoor (Ray Hearn) and LACC, North (Hanse/Shackelford). Following are a few resources:

Flossmoor CC
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/feature-interview/flossmoor-november-2012/
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/flossmoor-country-club/
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41166.msg871828/topicseen.html#msg871828

Greg:

Here's a thread specifically on the Flossmoor bunker project, with comments from Hearn  and some pics of bunker styles old and new cribbed from various GCA threads and sources: http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41574.0.html

[Mike Nuzzo]

I prefer when bunker changes fit their environment and maintenance practices.

[Greg Tallman]

I prefer when bunker changes fit their environment and maintenance practices.

LOL - maintenance practices are largely what is necessitating that something be done in the first place but agreed not any style would fit.