Where did it go ? And, Why ?

[Patrick_Mucci]

All the sand.

If you look at old photos of many golf courses, sand, not turf was abundant in many areas, especially at the green sites.

GCGC, CPC, Pebble Beach and others had vast sand expanses.

Why have they shrunk or disappeared ?

And, when discussing restorations, why isn't the restoration of those features on most agendas ?

Which is easier to maintain sand expanses or turf ?

Are carts the culprit ?

[Bill Gayne]

Pat,

I don't have any first hand knowledge of the courses you listed so I will offer a general premise. The change occuured due to the advancement of irrigation systems. Larger areas of turf could be irrigated and so it became easier to grow grass and plants in the sand and dunes. This was done to help stabilize the sand and or dunes.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Bill Gayne,

That seems to make sense, but, it also seems to imply that the architect took a back seat to the superintendent once irrigagation systems became functional.

[Craig Sweet]

The "architect" takes a back seat nearly everytime some member yahoo wants the course modified to accomadate the golf game of 2% of the membership....whats the diff?

[Joe Hancock]

Bill Gayne,

That seems to make sense, but, it also seems to imply that the architect took a back seat to the superintendent once irrigagation systems became functional.

Or, he had died.....a drastic way of taking a bcak seat if you ask me!

Joe

[Patrick_Mucci]

This is what I was referencing.

Compare this aerial to today's version on Google Earth.

The loss of the bunkering/sand is substantive.

Why and when did it happen