George Bahto & Tom Doak,
If CBM had intended a Biarritz for NGLA, I'm sure he would have expounded on why he considered and rejected that concept in his book, "Scotland's Gift".
It's interesting to note that he references his finding of good to excellent land to replicate the Redan. The topography of the Redan hole would lend itself to a Biarritz, with the chasm like carry, yet, CBM NEVER offers that as a choice in the concept, design or construction of the 4th hole.
One could make the argument that the topography for a Biarritz exists from the tee at # 5 to a point in the fairway, but, that would produce back to back par 3's and, a sequence of par 3's that went 3, 3, 4, 3, and I doubt he would have considered that sequence.
I can see where someone might consider the land from the 15th tee to a point in the 15th fairway.
However, CBM also indicated that he found a good leven hole, so, how would he have gone from a Biarritz at # 15, to the 17th tee ? A par 5 with a layup drive, then over the water/swamp to the the spine and fairway bowls, eventually to the punchbowl 16th green ?
I doubt that because to do so would create five par 5's, with a 5,4,5 finish
It is my theory that CBM really designed 4 par 3's at NGLA.
And, that's because of the dual nature of the 13th hole.
Play from tees to the left and to the right of # 12 green would duplicate the approach shots on both the 7th and 11th at TOC.
If my theory has any merit, that, and the other issues mentioned, would seem to preclude CBM from designing a fifth par 3 at NGLA, a Biarritz.
Your thoughts ?