Great topic Chris. Maybe we should just name them anyway. I know that when I was touring Mr. Miller around Pacific Dunes for some commissioned work that he named the bunker right of the 18th green the "Wind Hole" bunker. I always called it "The Grand Canyon". The bunker/waste area onthe left side of the 18th fairway has been called many names, most have settled on "Mr. Big" just because of the size (over an acre). I think the area right on 13 should be called "The Circus" in honor the property's past. Local off-roaders had paths across the PD property and it was known through the area as "The Circus", plus if you ever get stuck up high on that dune it is a circus act to get to and extract your ball. The bunker back left of 16 green has been dubbed "The Chang" in honor of local players Gary and Sunny Chang and their frequent challenges to get out of that pit. I've heard talk that the bunker 80 to 100 yards from the green on 15 was called the "Sheriff Badge" because of its builder, Steve Underdown, and it is roughly shaped like a star at opening. Steve is a local like Shoe and I think part of it was getting in on the concept of the "Shoe Bunker" i.e. build it, name it. The bunker that eats into left side of #7 green has been called "The Hoover", "The Oreck", & "The Bissell" for its ability to vacuum balls off the green. I,ve always called the bunker guarding the right of #8 green "Woking", from Doak's reference to the hole inspiring the lone bunker.
On the same topic of naming bunkers, why aren't landing areas and parts of courses named as much. I've always liked the term the Elysian Fields and the reference. One area we've named at the resort are holes 4, 5, 6, & 7 at Bandon are named "The Gauntlet" for their ability to make you feel like you've gone through battle. There is a little bump about 210 yards off the tee on the right side of #7 fairway on PD that repels balls heading for junk back into the fairway that is refered to as the "Jones Bump". Don Jones was a buddy and had the uncanny ability to hit that area almost everytime we played.
Well that's jus a few of the names I've had fun with. I'll try to post some more but I've got to get to the course. Beautiful day, chilly morning but warming to 60+ with a slight breeze from the north.
Keep the blade square- Nyk