Modernization and Transformation and Renovation at the TPC Sawgrass

[Bryan Izatt]

I came across this video on the PGA Tour site (you have to scroll down to go page to page):


http://www.pgatour.com/long-form/2017/04/10/stadium-course-renovation-tpc-sawgrass-players.html


Quite a professional presentation.  I guess new TifEagle greens are renovation.  The new 12th hole is described as a transformation.  Not quite sure what the modernization is about?


A new lake between the 6th and 7th doesn't do much for me - just makes the two holes look more Floridian to me.


Closely mown areas around the 11th green to allow more creativity is probably better for the daily player.  For the tournament players I'd think it would make it easier.  It also breaks with the rest of the course design ethic of small rough-covered moguls.


The 12th is a totally new hole - a driveable par 4.  The old 12th was not an exciting hole, but for me was a breather of sorts - a short par 4 where you could manage a par.  For the tour players I'm sure it was a boring layup, wedge, make a birdie hole.  Maybe in tournament conditions it will provide some more excitement.  Will be interesting to see how many try for the heroic drive to the green.  In term of the design ethic of the rest of the course it doesn't look to me like it fits - it has yet again more of a traditional Florida look to it with closely mown chipping areas.


Perhaps I just yearn for the original more rustic look of the course.

[Thomas Dai]

Thanks for highlighted Bryan.


Somewhere (herein?) I have seen various photos of TPC Sawgrass when it first opened. Considerably different as I recall. I've tried some Googling to find them again without success. Anyone know where to see such photos?


atb

[Anthony_Nysse]

The new pot bunkers on #11 and #12 don't seem to look like normal, Dye pot bunkers. Our bunkers, which were reshaped by his team, have a much different, less regular look.