Your Favorite Unnatural Constructions

[Adam_F_Collins]

There's a lot of stock placed among these pages in the value of the natural and the appearance of the natural in the construction of golf courses.

But inevitably, there are many situations in golf course development which require the construction of something which is not a landform. These things might include bridges, periscopes, starters huts, fences windmills or a multitude of other constructions.

I love the bridges over the big ravine at Thompson's Digby Pines. The fit in nicely, they provide some great views of Holes 2, 8, 11 and 16 and allow a moment to reflect on the natural surroundings as you walk along, high above the stream below.

I always thought they did a wonderful job with the construction of the fences at Cypress Point (although I've never been there). Using natural material, they managed to create the necessary rails without creating an eyesore in the process.

What are some of your favorites? Let's keep clubhouses out of it - seeing as they have been so heavily discussed in the past.

[Kyle Harris]

Fences that were part of the site before construction are always a favorite. Especially if in a historic context (Philly area has a bunch of that).

Quarries are definately my favorite though. Look at 16-18 at Merion, 4 at Lulu, and 8 and 16 at Manufacturers'.

Little things between holes (or in) like staircases, trams, bridges (tastefully done, like the one between 15 and 16/17 and 18 at Lookaway) also add some intrigue to the routing.

[wsmorrison]

The stone walls and gates at North Berwick

The stone walls at Philadelphia Country Club 16

The bridge at Rolling Green 14

I agree with Kyle, quarries are a nice feature.  Besides the ones mentioned around Philadelphia, Flynn used a really cool tee at the 12th at Philadelphia Cricket to cross the quarry on the tee shot though it was removed some time ago.

[Tom_Doak]

There are a couple of great stepping-stone footbridges across the creek on the ninth hole at Merion (East) that have always been a favorite of mine.

The suspension bridge of the tenth hole at Bel Air is another.

[Tim Bert]

I like the log "fences" they put up at Pacific Dunes.  You see them as you walk to the 7th tee, and then again on the 8th tee where you can see Bandon Dunes #7 (and maybe some other spots as well.)

I also like the big traffic light things they put on some courses with blind shots to let you know when it is safe to hit. (Okay, I'm just kidding about this one.)

[wsmorrison]

The old wooden steps into the quarry on 17 at Merion East are quite good as well.  The steps look just like they did in pictures from the opening of the course.  

The stone in the quarry naturally matches the fieldstone on the homes across the street.

Tom Doak,

As good as those bridges are, the larger concrete bridge from 10 tee to 10 fairway is just awful!

[Kyle Harris]

Two for two!

[Paul_Turner]

Addington has the best bridges.

Painswick with its Iron (Bronze?) Age Fort and its quarries. Some of the most unusual land scars you'll see.  There are a few other courses with similar features:  Minchinhampton Old, Broadway, North Wilts, Cleeve Hill, Bath, Mannings Heath


North Wilts.

[Sean_A]

I do like the ruined castle and church at Pennard, though only the church is in play.  Of course the race course at Musselburgh Old is quite a feauture.  I never realized how long grass is on a race course.  

Ciao

Sean

[cary lichtenstein]

I liked the bridges at Dallas National,

[Joe Hancock]

I thought this was going to be a Pamela Anderson thread.....

[Mike_Cirba]

I'm sort of fond of that big thing off to the left of the 16th green at NGLA.  

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