Shinnecock's Bunkers

[Erich]

In response to Dan's suggestion I wanted to start a thread on the bunkering at Shinnecock.  I had been told by a caddy that the only changes being made to SHGC prior to the 04 Open was growing in of the rough and changing the sand in the bunkers.  Their bunkers are not filled with perfect sand as most of you know.  They are left to nature to perfect.  The caddie informed me that the players in 96 were not thrilled with the condition of un-uniformed sand and that is why they are being changed.

[Mike_Cirba]

Erich;

The tour players (and I assume the USGA) "aren't thrilled" with the non-uniform sand in Shinnecock's bunkers, so they are being changed?  

Gee, maybe we should poll them as to how they like the effect of the Pacific Ocean when their ball lands in it at Pebble, or how much they enjoy their ball in Rae's Creek at ANGC, or deep in the dark woods of Medinah.

Maybe we should just totally neuter bunkering altogether...forget that it's supposed to be a FREAKING HAZARD UNDER THE RULES OF GOLF, and just paint little beige, consistent, well-manicured spots at certain points along the course for color contrast.  Or, might that be blinding depending on how the sun hits it at different times of the day?  

What a freakin joke.

[brad miller]

I believe they have a "local" rule allowing rocks to be moved in bunkers.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Mike Cirba,

How can a knowledgeable fellow like yourself, take seriously, and answer/address an anonymous post about the bunkers at Shinnecock, based on third party hearsay, from a caddy, who probably wasn't there in 1996, and probably doesn't have a factual clue about the bunkers ?

Why didn't you ask for the facts and source documentation ?

Now I see why you don't get it  

Are you subscribing to Tom Paul's personal newsletter ?  

[Mike_Cirba]

Patrick;

Far be it for me to reply to unsubstantiated rumors, but, apparently, I did.

However, combined with the recent other rumor on here that a ubiquitous bunker "restoration" construction company had been hired by Shinnecock, I guess I just lept to a hopefully faulty and erroneous conclusion.

However, if it turns out to be true, I'm sure you'll be the first to tell me you were wrong.

Tom has time to write a newsletter?    

[TEPaul]

The story appears to be that whatever bunker work that will be done at Shinnecock will be done inhouse! No need to subscrivbe to my newsletter, Pat, when you can read it on here!

[Erich]

Actually the caddie that I was referring to was there at US Open and is actually the regular caddie for a certain tour player who is a member at Shinney.  The man knew his stuff.  He was just giving me the lowdown on what was coming. He also said that he could have won Norman the open if he would have listened to him.