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Jonathan Cummings

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Most Unusual Bunker?
« on: January 26, 2003, 07:15:21 AM »
When talking of unusual or out-of-the-norm bunkers, Yale's 4th, PVGC's 10th and others are often conversation starters.  Here's another one.  Consider the greenside bunkers at the 18th at Sunningdale - Old.  They were "designed" in 1944 courtesy of the Luftwaffe when two errant bombs struck the greenside of the 18th.  After the war and the club merely threw sand into the carters and called them bunkers.

JC
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Gene Greco

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2003, 10:36:32 AM »
Greenside bunker of #4 at Sandhills.

No bombs dropped, just gives the appearance of such an event possibly having occurred.

It's about three stories high from the very bottom and about thirty yards back to the green from that point.

Witnessed a hole out for birdie from that point (greatest shot in history?) to a tight pin and to this day the guy thinks we stuck it in the hole.

It truly is a remarkable bunker.  
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"...I don't believe it is impossible to build a modern course as good as Pine Valley.  To me, Sand Hills is just as good as Pine Valley..."    TOM DOAK  November 6th, 2010

Tyler Kearns

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2003, 10:40:31 AM »
Jonathon,
       Great story, it is this type of oddity that makes the study of golf course architecture so fascinating. Many people erroneously assume that all features on golf course have been carefully considered and miticulously planned, but I'm sure many such instances of the bizarre exist, and they contribute to the mystery asnd wonder of design.

Tyler Kearns
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Patrick_Mucci

Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2003, 10:56:29 AM »
Jonathan,

The original bunker on #17 at The Medalist, which is now a greenside bunker.  It was steep, caverness and intimidating.
Sadly its play orientation has been altered as has the bunker.

It doesn't have an unusual origin, it was just unusual to find such a bunker built in modern days in the U.S..
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:01 PM by -1 »
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RJ_Daley

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2003, 11:00:51 AM »
I think in considering these unusual bunkers, we can't overlook the bunker in the middle of the green at Riviera.  A take off on that was done at #17 at Bayside Golf course in Ogallala, NE.  That is one of the most entertaining par 3s I have ever played.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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No actual golf rounds were ruined or delayed, nor golf rules broken, in the taking of any photographs that may be displayed by the above forum user.

TEPaul

Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2003, 11:32:52 AM »
About the most unusual to me is the enormous thing on the right side of #17 Port Rush. It's more like an enormous hill bunker or small mountain but it's definitely a bunker. Basically have to hit well out to the left of it or past it or you'd have to take a lofted club to get over it on your next shot.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Jonathan Cummings

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2003, 11:53:10 AM »
RJ - The 10th at Riveria's bunker certainly qualifies.  Not only did Bayside replicate this idea, but Doonbeg did too.

Here's another strange bunker.  I have been to a Pete Dye course (can't remember which one) over the past several years and saw a fully groomed bunker BEHIND the tee.  The defining zero strategic value in a bunker!

JC
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Hazard Duty

Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2003, 12:48:36 PM »
Jonathan--I can imagine a situation in which that bunker could come into play. Gale force winds with a pop up tee shot. Given the golf nuts out there, playing in gale force winds is not out of the question.  My own golf game defines the popped up tee shot. :)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Evan Fleisher

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2003, 07:43:01 PM »
What about the Cardinal bunker at Prestwick's par-5 2nd or 3rd hole (can't remember the exact hole).  But...such a severe bunker smack-dab in the middle of a fairway on an already tough and long hole...seems quite severe and unusual to me.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Mike_Cirba

Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2003, 07:57:10 PM »
The "Alien" bunker at Shore Gate in NJ.  Simultaneous proof positive that aliens brought both golf and cloning to earth.

I'm sure redanman and Matt Ward can verify the sighting. ;)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Jonathan Cummings

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2003, 04:18:14 AM »
Wait!  Before anyone does so, Muirhead's bunker don't qualify as unusual!   :)

JC
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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A_Clay_Man

Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2003, 08:03:58 AM »
Gene mentioned the 4th at SH, I would say that every bunker on that course qualifies, if not unusual just unusually fabulous. My favorite was the right side of the 17th redan. It has it's own mesa and was toweringly impressive when in it. ;D
The 8th at Wild Horse has a magnificaint visually intimidating one that is unique.Also with it's own mesa.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Brad Swanson

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2003, 08:25:19 AM »
Gene,
   Doug Wright's second at the 4th wound up about 2 feet from the bunker, and Doug bravely dangled his heels over the edge to play his third.  Jason Hines and I were standing partol within arms-reach when he played that shot because on sudden gust of wind, and Doug would've taken a 20-30 foot reverse gainer to the sandy depths below.  An unusual and potentially dangerous bunker indeed!

Brad Swanson
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:01 PM by -1 »
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TEPaul

Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2003, 08:46:12 AM »
Jonathan:

You're sure right about Muirhead's bunkers particularly those of the original Stone Harbor. A Norse sword, Jaws, the state of New Jersey, you name it, he had it.

Despite what an interesting man and architect Desmond Muirhead may have been those were some of the most unusual bunkers golf had ever seen.

I've said it about ten times on here but I believe it's too bad that Stone Harbor softened and even redesigned some of those unusual Muirhead bunkers as shocking as they may have been. I'd even like to see them restored as odd as that may sound now.

When golf architecture comes across anything that basically represents the outside edges of the architectural spectrum (in either direction) I think it should be preserved.
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John Foley

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2003, 08:57:13 AM »
Two favorites at Sand Hills are on the left hand side of #16 FW and the one fronting the 8th green. Both of these are vicious to recover from.

Any one else comment on the "waste area's" at La Diable in Mt. Tremblant? Some pretty visuall stunning looks, however they are just rock & sand filled pits which are impossible to play from.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Integrity in the moment of choice

Doug Wright

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #15 on: January 27, 2003, 09:10:33 AM »
No question Sand Hills has some of the fiercest, not to mention most natural, bunkers extant. Hard to choose there.

Many years ago I first saw TOC by walking it and I was bowled over when I came to Hell. The size and scale of that bunker was unforgettable. Obviously there are more than a few bunkers on that course that are unusual. Cardinal @ Prestwick is pretty damn unique too.

All The Best,
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Scott_Burroughs

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #16 on: January 27, 2003, 09:42:44 AM »
I'm not sure I'd call Sand Hills' bunkers the "most unusual", especially since they were pretty much there naturally to begin with.  I think of unusual as stuff like Stone Harbor's, or "theme" bunkers such as Dick Tracy bunker at Cantigny, Mickey Mouse at WDW, etc., or stuff really wacky, usually "unnatural."  For example, the volcano bunker at Hollywood.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:01 PM by -1 »
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Gene Greco

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #17 on: January 27, 2003, 09:58:38 AM »
Scott:

    There just aren't that many green side bunkers which could kill you like the one at #4 SH..

In that respect it is very unusual.

As Brad Swanson mentioned above it is a frightening place to be whether you're playing golf or not!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"...I don't believe it is impossible to build a modern course as good as Pine Valley.  To me, Sand Hills is just as good as Pine Valley..."    TOM DOAK  November 6th, 2010

Scott_Burroughs

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #18 on: January 27, 2003, 10:43:58 AM »
Gene,

I'll take your word for it, not having actually seen it in person or in pictures.  Quite a few other holes in pictures, 4th not being one of them.  If anyone here would know, you're the one!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Jim_H

Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #19 on: January 27, 2003, 10:45:12 AM »
I'm not sure it is the most unusual, but I would nominate the bunker down the left side of the 18th at Pacific Dunes as the most beautiful.
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Rick Shefchik

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #20 on: January 27, 2003, 11:10:27 AM »
Speaking of Sand Hills, the bunker (or is it something more than that?) left of the fairway on #18 has to be one of the most overwhelming locations I've ever visited on a golf course. I made the mistake of trying to cut too much of it off from the tee, pulled my drive left and felt as though I'd completely lost contact with the golf course when I went down there to find it. Fortunately Dan Kelly appeared on the rim of the "bunker" to give me some orientation back to civilization. (Then there was the incredible challenge of actually executing the recovery.) I felt as though had I gone just a few more yards left, I would have found myself in a John Wayne movie.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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"Golf is 20 percent mechanics and technique. The other 80 percent is philosophy, humor, tragedy, romance, melodrama, companionship, camaraderie, cussedness and conversation." - Grantland Rice

Doug Wright

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #21 on: January 27, 2003, 11:21:20 AM »
Scott,

Gene and Brad are correct--that bunker greenside SH #4  is death in more than the usual way one might think of it... :o I felt like Jack Lemmon on the rocks at Pebble as I hit that shot next to the edge of that bunker--I needed a lifeline!

All The Best,
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:01 PM by -1 »
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Scott_Burroughs

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #22 on: January 27, 2003, 11:39:23 AM »
Doug,

That "Lemmon Lifeline" was at Cypress Point #16.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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Doug Wright

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Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #23 on: January 27, 2003, 11:45:34 AM »
Scott,

Of course it was--how could I forget?  ;)

Jack Lemmon was priceless--I love this story...

"Especially on the first tee at Pebble Beach. Lemmon said he would rather do Hamlet unrehearsed than hit the first shot off No. 1 in front of thousands of strangers. One year, he was so nervous he sliced a drive into an adjacent room at The Lodge and the ball actually rolled through an open door into the room in which he was staying, startling his wife."

All The Best,

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by 1056376800 »
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ystone70

Re: Most Unusual Bunker?
« Reply #24 on: January 27, 2003, 12:34:09 PM »
Consider the "coffin" bunker to the left of the 13th i think at The Irish course at Whistling Straights.  From the tee you can see how squared off it is and the only way out is to chip/blast back toward the tee.   Not fair at all, but quite unusual and intimidating.
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