17 at Bay Hill

[Tommy Williamsen]

What think ye of the changes?

[Andrew Harvie]

The change seems extremely bland considering the "after" could be a hole anywhere, but I guess it makes it more difficult for the TOUR which was probably the objective.


Brad Faxon shared a photo of Bay Hill in 1962... it could use a restoration! I'm working on being able to embed social media posts here right now, which will hopefully make it easier to share posts here.

[Ryan Book]

I prefer the new version; the old bunker provided an airbag of sorts for those who choose to attack flags around the edge...maybe not necessarily for someone of my skill level but the sand wizards on Tour don't quite suffer for their sins of attacking near pins when that bunker is in place...they are almost as likely to end up with a par as someone who takes the traditional conservative route by playing to the back of the green.

(If you have the shot-tracking stats handy to tell I'm wrong, please do).

I'll be curious to see if the two remaining bunkers find more visitors this time around. 

[Kalen Braley]

I read an article yesterday, can't find it now, that said the primary motivator was maintenance when big storms came thru.

Left that beach bunker in a helluva state to get back to normal.

P.S.  I preferred the old look for its uniqueness even if the logistics were challenging.  In its current state looks like just another Florida green with water in close proximity.

[Jim Sherma]

Wow - the 1962 picture linked to above really shows how much the course has changed. It's at least as dramatic as TPC Sawgrass' evolution through the years. 

[Matt_Cohn]

Looks like a flip version of 16 green now. Also looks impossible if firm.

[Michael Felton]

From my recollection, that green is very shallow and firm and slopes away - it's also a very long shot that they're hitting into it and it's super hard to hold the green. If you want to hold it, especially Sunday, you have to land it pretty close to what used to be the bunker. I suspect that now there isn't that bunker there to save one that comes up a yard or two short, they'll play it more conservatively and it will be less exciting to watch.

[MCirba]

Ironic that they removed the "beach bunker" which was a favorite of the Arnie Palmer Design group and perhaps their architectural trademark.


The linked Dick Wilson course photo is certainly more compelling.

[Rob Marshall]

I like the look of the beach bunker. IF I remember correctly there are a few holes with bunker/waste areas running directly into a pond or marsh at Bulls Bay.

[archie_struthers]

 


Definitely tougher. I always liked the beachy bunkers although it can be a maintenance nightmare at times. The back left bunker is improved, though not dramatically. Not a whole lot of difference in the end

[Paul Jones]

I played it last year and was disappointed to see the beach bunker gone.  I was told by the member they did it inhouse and did not consult an architect as it was a maintenance budget issue.

[Tags:]

Tags: