Mark,

I think you need to ask the question, how likely is it that would Tillie design these bunkers to look different to the rest on the course and so out of place? If the answer is a maybe then there maybe an argument for keeping them so. If on the other hand it is a not likely call then you need to convince the client that a change would be best in keeping with the original design.

Mark-

  You've said old aerials confirm the two bunkers were rather nondescript, even close in time to the course's completion?  

Wow.  

  This is a tough call.  On one hand, I like what I have learned on here from the older guys in terms of handling a restoration, that is establishing a baseline or time period and then restoring to that point in time, without deviation.  

  On the other hand, one has to wonder if redesigning the bunkers to be more consistent in appearance and playability with the others on the course is an act that has merit.  This requires a lot of thought.  Firstly, are there any maintenance issues with the two odd bunkers as they are today?  

  Here's where I am going with this; on one hand, I like and appreciate the logic behind restoring to a fixed time period.  This way, there is no deviation--it's black and white, cut and dry.  On the other hand, I do like the bunkers and holes at a given course to have an architectural consistency the whole way 'round.  
(I have a specific example to cite, but will not at this time.  It is local and am waiting to speak to some related parties personally).  
Now, as far as establishing that consistency, I feel it is important to stay in-line with what Tillinghast may have done there, as long as other features are not obliterated (see Rees Jones doing a Tillinghast interpretation and the green surrounds of Bethpage Black).  

As I write this, I still go back to the "point in time" view, because when one opens the door for a bit of interpretation, even when it is done by those knowing of the relevant style, it still sets a precedent, and that is what I am afraid of, that others in the future can use this precedent and pervert it.  

Are there any drawn plans?  I believe that is what Aronimink did, no?  Go back to the plans and restore to that?  

Tommy and Doug,
I saw your posts after I responded to Jon.  Any more thoughts after seeing these two photos?  
Mark

Don't get me wrong, it's better then the other photo, but it isn't really tillie like.

Here is one more photo of another fairway bunker which is typical of most.  



You can see that a lot of work went into the shaping and sculpting of them (unlike in the second photo above).  

Mark-

  These are quite odd.  Yes, they look nothing like Tillie bunkers, well, maybe some at Bethpage where they're just neglected   but seriously, they look far afield from what I have seen of Tillinghast.  

  As do the trees inside the bunker lines to the green, but you're probably got that covered.  

After seeing these photos, now I move the other way, towards redesigning them to be more consistent with what Tillinghast did on the rest of the course, but I am still fearful of establishing a precedent.  

I can't help it, I'm conservative

Mark, does your team have any plans of the course you could refer to?  In instance such as this I feel safest turning to the plans to see what the architect intended.  What do you think?  

This is going to be a good, good thread!

Tommy,
No work has been done yet by us on any of these bunkers.  You can see how sand has receded (it has on most of the bunkers).  

When Rick and Bob came around, they thought the bunkers looked just like they came out of Tillies sketches.  The course has great potential.  Philip knows about it and I believe feels the same way.  

Mark

Mark, Call me.

Tommy,
These bunkers I am showing you were not newer or reworked.  They are vintage Tillie!  That is what is so cool about this project.

Guys,
Think about some of the bunkers at Tillie courses like Fenway and Somerset Hills.  Now do you still think these don't look like Tillie bunkers?  I'd post some photos I but don't want to confuse this thread.  On the other hand if you want me to I will.  

Please do Mark. I have never had the experience of playing a Tillie course so I can't comment on the point of typical or not typical Tillie but would love to see some examples.

Something else that has occurred to me is if his style developed and evolved during his career then there would be a typical bunker style early, middle and late career. This in turn would make it be important to compare the style of his bunkering on courses constructed immediately before and after this one was built. Is this something that you would take into consideration or did Tillie have the same style throughout his career and save you the headache?

This is much more complicated than I thought! Think I go back to the beer and football.

Thanks for the ideas.  Here are a few more photos.  What do you guys think about these?