[Victor Donnay]

The renovation work at Merion is finished and the golf course is just opened. Saw lots of people out playing when I drove by today. It looks spectacular. Any reports yet on how people feel about the finished product? How long will it take time before the grass fully matures and the course is playing at its peak (if it is not already)?

[John Blain]

Victor-
Thanks for the update.  It's the most information I've heard about the restoration since they started the project! This has to be one the most under the radar restorations in the history of the industry. For such a historic club there seemed to be very little conversation about it, no pictures (at least that I saw), etc. I believe it's one of the most expensive as well. Nice to know it's finished and up and running!
-John

[Victor Donnay]

John - here is an earlier thread discussing some of the renovation:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,66332.msg1583392.html#msg1583392

[Ronald Montesano]

I would check Jon Cavalier's @linksgems instagram feed. Sooner or later, it will be up. He had a tease, earlier this week.

[MCirba]

I've yet to see the work but hope to soon.


I think my sentimental attachment to the place is such that I purposefully avoided seeing the patient on the operating room table again.

[David Davis]

I had dinner there on Tuesday of last week and tried to peak as much as possible without going into the course which wasn't allowed at that point.


It looks good except for one point that really stands out for me. Merion always had this beautiful fescue around the bunkers etc and it's all been taken out. To me it makes the course look too homogeneous. Of course it's one of the great courses but I always loved the visual and that has changed. I haven't played it yet as my visit to the area was a week to early but I was mildly disappointed by this small difference.

[jeffwarne]

Merion always had this beautiful fescue around the bunkers etc and it's all been taken out. To me it makes the course look too homogeneous. Of

It may well still be fescue, just in a grow in stage-newly germinated(or in rarer cases sodded) fescue doesn't look all that different than bluegrass or ryegrass (from a distance)
Any old course regrassed is definitely going to look more homogonous as it's pretty difficult to duplicate the poa-bent mix which takes years to develop(for better or worse).
here's hoping some of that multi millions went to retaining the old texture and color.


But homogomous is where most of the golf world is going anyway....


I can't imagine altering a course such as Merion, but given the inaction by the governing bodies, they had already been deemed irrelevant 30 years ago for hosting a US Open(which clearly mattered to them), then later labeled as a "Boutique" Open by that same organization.

[Kyle Harris]

I've yet to see the work but hope to soon.


I think my sentimental attachment to the place is such that I purposefully avoided seeing the patient on the operating room table again.

If we are being honest with ourselves, your reactions and subsequent retractions to the earlier work performed is exactly the beauty of golf architecture and its discussion.

Regardless of the ire, getting to see your mind change - in the flesh - is one of my all-time favorite golf memories.

[David Davis]

Merion always had this beautiful fescue around the bunkers etc and it's all been taken out. To me it makes the course look too homogeneous. Of

It may well still be fescue, just in a grow in stage-newly germinated(or in rarer cases sodded) fescue doesn't look all that different than bluegrass or ryegrass (from a distance)
Any old course regrassed is definitely going to look more homogonous as it's pretty difficult to duplicate the poa-bent mix which takes years to develop(for better or worse).
here's hoping some of that multi millions went to retaining the old texture and color.


But homogomous is where most of the golf world is going anyway....


I can't imagine altering a course such as Merion, but given the inaction by the governing bodies, they had already been deemed irrelevant 30 years ago for hosting a US Open(which clearly mattered to them), then later labeled as a "Boutique" Open by that same organization.

Jeff, I hope you are right but I fear Gill just wanted to move away from that.


I know it's purely aesthetic and perhaps a less important aspect of GCA but it's still one I like to enjoy. However, that's always been one of my downfalls with women as well. 

[PCCraig]

What was the primary reason for the renovation?

[Jim Nugent]

deleted... posted in wrong thread!

[Michael Dugger]

Has this meant all of the Fazio has been un-done? 


Sure doesn't seem like it was all that long ago that reno. took place?

[Anthony_Nysse]

Merion always had this beautiful fescue around the bunkers etc and it's all been taken out. To me it makes the course look too homogeneous. Of

It may well still be fescue, just in a grow in stage-newly germinated(or in rarer cases sodded) fescue doesn't look all that different than bluegrass or ryegrass (from a distance)
Any old course regrassed is definitely going to look more homogonous as it's pretty difficult to duplicate the poa-bent mix which takes years to develop(for better or worse).
here's hoping some of that multi millions went to retaining the old texture and color.


But homogomous is where most of the golf world is going anyway....


I can't imagine altering a course such as Merion, but given the inaction by the governing bodies, they had already been deemed irrelevant 30 years ago for hosting a US Open(which clearly mattered to them), then later labeled as a "Boutique" Open by that same organization.

Gil posted on his IG account that the fescue "will mature & fill in with the broom & grasses as the season progresses."

[mike_malone]

Can’t call 15 Eden anymore. It’s much flatter to the eye.

[David Davis]

Gil posted on his IG account that the fescue "will mature & fill in with the broom & grasses as the season progresses."

Thanks Tony, very happy to read this!

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

I've yet to see the work but hope to soon.


I think my sentimental attachment to the place is such that I purposefully avoided seeing the patient on the operating room table again.

+1.

[Mark Chaplin]

David Davis you were a couple of months to early to play as a non member.


Spoke to a member today who visited at the weekend and he was extremely impressed with the course.

[Dan Herrmann]

I play at a Hanse, and he used to use his chunking technique to get native, drought resistant grasses to thrive above the bunkers.   Took chunks of sod from native areas and placed them on the surrounds.   

[Anthony_Nysse]

I play at a Hanse, and he used to use his chunking technique to get native, drought resistant grasses to thrive above the bunkers.   Took chunks of sod from native areas and placed them on the surrounds.

We built a good many of the bunkers at Friars Head this way. Used the native material from the open area left of #13 fairway. Went in with a loader bucket, took a scoop and the dropped it on a bunker face somewhere. I have pics, but no way to post.

[Dan Boerger]

I had drinks yesterday evening with a Merion member who played the course last week. He mentioned it's about 10%+ "newish" and thought the 2nd hole changes were most dramatic. Said it was in incredible shape.



Wish Wayne Morrison still posted here!

[MCirba]

I still haven't seen it yet but a friend sent me this;



https://youtu.be/9jSqTWM3nZY

[Dan Boerger]

Mike - Thanks for sharing. Still not sure of the purpose of this video. Get another US Open? Some really dramatic shots.

[MCirba]

Mike - Thanks for sharing. Still not sure of the purpose of this video. Get another US Open? Some really dramatic shots.

Dan,


Thanks....suspect something may be brewing for 2030 but that's just my guess.

[David Wuthrich]

I have been told that the fescue is gone for good. 
I guess we will have to wait and see if that is true.

[Jeff Schley]

Just played here yesterday and it was in very good shape.  Humid as heck wow.  They are using 15 minute tee times!!!!  Love that but hard to get tee times. The fescue around the bunkers is gone, except for a couple in the quarry for nostalgia I was told.  The rough was playable and greens were probably maybe rolling 10-11 at most so that was nice for us amateur putters.


Love the 17/18 finish which is just so iconic.  Can’t wait til they get another open. I’m not sure if they have restocked the pro shop after we hit it, apologies if anyone is looking for XL peter millar shirts).  Also I can further report that AC in the locker room was not included in the restoration.))


Lovely experience as those who have been know.

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