When did Augusta National go to the "sharp edged" bunkers?

[Michael Whitaker]

When did Augusta National change from the more natural looking bunkers to the smooth sharp edged look? Was this a purely aesthetic decision? Do you think it was driven by the superintendent? Did they start mowing the creek banks around the same time?

[T.J. Sturges]

Great question.  I'd really like to know the answer to this as well.  Also, when did they go to the straight edge bunker look at Cypress Point?

TS

[ed_getka]

Ted,
   At Cypress they put in bunker liners a few years ago and the edges have looked pretty sterile since then, but I assume over time they will get back to looking a bit more natural. Although never as natural as what you see in the Shackelford book.

[John Chilver-Stainer]

I would venture to say it’s a green keeper decision - without necesarily asking anyone. Aesthetic bunkers are quickly cut away every close season into a “maintenance meld”, as seen through the eyes of the greenkeepers, and overfilled with sand for easier access of the mechanical bunker raker. Especially if uniform green is the priority and not slightly brown high spots.


It’s easy to take away the aesthetic lines and slight movements in the surrounds of the bunkers but very difficult to put back - but thanks to “well meaning” green keepers the architects will continue to have restoration projects for the future.

[RJ_Daley]

My guess it that every year they just got crisper and crisper, after RTJsr's remodels and pretty soon, the crisper the edge the more perfect the maintenance was thought to be.  It was probably the relentless march towards preceived perfection.

I would be interested to know if members hadn't seen the way MacKenzie bunkers look at greensides (not FWs) at MacKenzie's courses in Australia, particularly Royal Melbourne, and then thought that is how Mac's bunkers should look.  

[Michael Whitaker]

Dick - Surely there is some photo archive somewhere that could be consulted. It would be interesting to know when they first made the move to cutting the bunker edges and cleaning up the banks and slopes.

While I watched the 1960 recap on Sunday I found it interesting that (conditionwise) the course didn't look that much different from many "normal" courses... it did not appear the pristine park that it is today. When did Augusta National start to get the reputation as THE prime example of conditioning nirvana?

[Wayne_Kozun]

While I watched the 1960 recap on Sunday I found it interesting that (conditionwise) the course didn't look that much different from many "normal" courses... it did not appear the pristine park that it is today. When did Augusta National start to get the reputation as THE prime example of conditioning nirvana?

It might be more of a relative thing.  I believe the Augusta of 1960 was miles ahead of other courses in terms of conditioning circa 1960.  All courses have tried to emulate this but Augusta keeps raising the bar in terms of "pristineness" which is something that most of us here rue.

But then again I wasn't even a twinkle in my daddy's eye in 1960 so what do I know!