Comment on "classic era" bunkers

[Mark_Fine]

"In the classic era, bunkers were built with relatively flat or slightly concave sand surfaces, fronted by grass covered banks or mounds several feet high.  These shapes are easier to maintain, yield a "greener" appearance on the course, and do not produce severe up or downslope lies in sand."

This was taken from a Master Plan for a restoration of a classic golf course.  Agree or disagree?

[Mike_Cirba]

Sounds like an archie with an agenda.  

History tells us it's a gross overgeneralizaton, but it sounds as though the architect was trying to get approval for a certain bunker type he favored on a project.  

[TEPaul]

That would be hard to say--there sure were a ton of types and styles back in that "classic era". Even Ross's own book depicts a real diverse spectrum of bunker types and styles of his own.

[TEPaul]

I think the new age bunker construction technique should be to open up a relatively small hole in the ground, then surround it with wire mesh in a low roof like affair to the dimensions that you'd like your bunker to be and then put some really aggressive hogs in there for about a week. If you want some interesting random edges just paint some lines on the ground with something those hogs really find delectable!

Call it the "New Age Natural Bunker Method".

[A.G._Crockett]

TEPaul
Should putting pigs in heat inside the enclosure be given any consideration?

[TEPaul]

Great idea--that's what golf architectural creativity is all about. You might want to stick some ducks, sheep, squirrels, chipmunks and hamsters in there too just to see what kind of randomness might occur.

I'm going to tell Bill Kittleman about this! He might even come to realize that using his wife's best teaspoons for the finishing touches on bunker edging is just far too formal!

[Mark_Fine]

You often wonder if Master Plans are written to please or to tell the truth?  Surely a bit of both.  I thought this statement was surprising.  Not sure how he arrived at this conclusion??
Mark