[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

Time to dig up those old Aronimink thread donnybrooks!

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/golf/20160819_Get_to_know_the_new_Aronimink__coming_in_2018.html

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

Well, i'll start...


Gil Hanse gets the nod to rebuild bunker complexes per old aerials - not to the drawings as Ron Prichard did per the late 90's renovation. As many on GCA.com know, this was quite a contentious issue among some very knowledgeable people.


In addition to the bunker work, the widening of fairways, especially in places that tie bunkering into the fairways, and the continued expansion of greens to their original pads seem to be key elements of this "sympathetic restoration". Having played or looked at photos of other restoration/renovations of Ross courses, from Beverly in Chicagoland to Camden CC in SC to Timuquana in Jacksonville, this look that we're about to see again at Aronimink will be unique among Ross courses.


The one missing piece of this plan, IMHO, is what to do with the ponds that front the 10th and 17th greens. It's my understanding they were not in play as they are now either per Ross' drawings or the 1929 photos. It's my hope that they get "put back" to where they were.


WWJr.

[mike_malone]

They must have money to burn.

[Rob Marshall]

Had the pleasure to play it twice in the last  5 years or so. I thought it was a great course and a heck of a challenge. Beautiful new short game practice facility.  Reminds me a little of Oak Hill.

[Ben Hollerbach]

The 1929 Aerials used for bunker reference.

[Mike_Trenham]

On the topic of tees, I've always found it interesting that on most of Ross's routings the tees are shown as not square yet in photography the sides are typically straight if not a prefect rectangle with 90 degree corners.  The photo shared above does look different from most other Ross courses I've seen.


The recapture of putting surface on 15 sounds good.

[D_Malley]

I just noticed that Hanse Golf Design's individual hole drawings are in the slideshow of this article. You can view drawings for every hole.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

 2018 BMW  awaits the PGAT again for a FedUp Cup event.


New Punchbowl green on 15 and 174 bunkers, an increase from 75.



http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/golf/aronimink-golf-club-2018-bmw-championship-donald-ross-joe-fabrizio-20170823.html

[mike_malone]

Wayne,


Aren't all of those bunkers an indictment of the quality of the land?

[Mark McKeever]

Love these old aerials.  Thanks for sharing!

[JESII]

Mike,


I'm not sure what you mean by that, but the land at Aronimink is about as good as inland golf could ask for. Certainly in the 90th percentile...

[mike_malone]

Jim,


 I am saying you use many bunkers when you have drab land.

[Mark McKeever]

The one missing piece of this plan, IMHO, is what to do with the ponds that front the 10th and 17th greens. It's my understanding they were not in play as they are now either per Ross' drawings or the 1929 photos. It's my hope that they get "put back" to where they were.


WWJr.

Totally agreed Wayne.  17 needs to be the top priority, but both need to be faithfully restored.  I'm sure its in the plans longer term.

[Jon Cavalier]

I'm told by a member friend that they are filling in the pond on 17 this fall.

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

Wayne,


Aren't all of those bunkers an indictment of the quality of the land?

Mayday

Apologies for the delay in replying. I don't know why Ross included so many individual bunkers when he got on site, as it's still my understanding that his original drawings/plans for the course were more representative of what Ron Prichard had built in his renovation. I think it's been argued on gca.com before, that what Ross did at Aronimink was very different then what he was designing and building around that same time.

Nonetheless, don't think he was trying to cover up any deficiencies in the "canvas" with which he had to work. [/size]In fact I would  agree with Jim Sullivan that AGC's land is as good as it gets for a classic American parkland course.

[Jon Cavalier]

Here's a few before-and-after photos I posted recently, followed by some recent shots of the course:














Plaque & 10th hole:



10th green with new waste area:



11th hole:



8th and 10th double greens (from 8th tee):



17th, 10th, 8th and 11th greens:



18th green and clubhouse:



Aerials:






For what it's worth, I'm of the opinion that the restoration work at Aronimink is exceptional, and has breathed new life into a course that had, like many a married man, become a bit soft, shaggy and overgrown. The course now looks great, plays great, and there is more to come.

All rights in all images above are reserved.

[Dan Boerger]

Jon - Great shots, thanks. There had been no determination on the fill in of the pond on #17, however. I think the course plays better, more interesting and -- in many instances -- less severe.

[Jon Cavalier]

Thanks Dan. Where do you stand on the ponds on 10 and 17?

[Dan Boerger]

Jon - I prefer the water on both holes as they stand now. Just my opinion.

[corey miller]

To what extent did they follow the plan of Ron Prichard in 1995?


I can understand a debate about what to do about the bunkering but were  the greens  expanded, trees removed, and mowing lines
fixed back then?

[Bret Lawrence]

Here is a picture of Aronimink from Golfdom-August 1929 titled:"Orcutt driving at Aronimink"

[Jim Franklin]

How much did the maintenance budget go up with the addition of all of those bunkers? Just curious.

We eliminated quite a few bunkers on our West course to save some money.

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