more pictures I hope

[Mike_Cirba]

Where's Mike Cirba?  I've never seen so many ameobas and spilt milk in a single thread.

Paul;

I agree.

I think the bunker work that was done in recent years, although applauded by others here as truly Mackenzian, is too sharp, too clean, too jagged, too frilly, and too white.  Of course, finding fault after playing Cypress is like criticizing Terri Hatcher for the color of her toenails after a roll in the hay.  However, to be fair and consistent, I feel that I should provide my honest opinion since Paul is calling me on it.    

Mackenzie's original bunkers were very lacey, as well, but because the surrounding dunes terrain were much less vegetated (more whitish and sandy), they blended beautifully and lent the artistic touch of man's hand to the incredible landscape.  However, now that much of those areas are now native grasses, while other areas are covered with rich, dark green turf, the contrast can be a bit jarrring.  There is no real "transition" areas between the bunkers and their surrounds any longer, which is the reason they look so stark.

Paul Turner;

What is your opinion of the bunkers?

Anyone else?  Tommy Nac?  

Talk about a "Hot Seat"!  

[THuckaby2]

Since you asked for "anyone else"...

my opinion is you had it correct in the Teri Hatcher analogy.  The only word that comes to mind is "irrelevant."

 

[Mike_Cirba]

Since you asked for "anyone else"...

my opinion is you had it correct in the Teri Hatcher analogy.  The only word that comes to mind is "irrelevant."

 

Tom;

If the bunkers at Cypress Point are "irrelevant", why are they there?  Or, is any criticism of them what you term irrelevant?  

I think they have to be relevant because any man-made features on that glorious setting need to be really carefully considered, lest they detract from the heavenly views.

[THuckaby2]

The criticism of the LOOK of them is what I find irrelevant.  That's what I thought you and Paul are doing.  To me, they look just fine.. and they PLAY fantastically well (and are obviously very relevant in that respect).. The look would only be relevant if it's outright horrible, and these certainly aren't.

TH

[Mike_Cirba]

The criticism of the LOOK of them is what I find irrelevant.  That's what I thought you and Paul are doing.  To me, they look just fine.. and they PLAY fantastically well (and are obviously very relevant in that respect).. The look would only be relevant if it's outright horrible, and these certainly aren't.

TH

Tom;

No, they aren't horrible by any stretch.  A solid B on a course where they were an A+ at birth.  

[THuckaby2]

Mike:  I can live with that.  But to me it's akin to Teri Hatcher's toes, as you said - relevant only to those with foot fetishes, or on this case, bunker-look-fetish.

 

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Just for Dave...

[THuckaby2]

Sweet pic!

But it also brings up a question I had...

Michael, is that you?

If so, I see a wood in your hand... looks like fairway wood...

I've never hit less than driver on that hole, although one time I should have (rare helping wind).

What does a really strong player hit on 16?  The carry is "only" 200, but it is slightly uphill (green is slightly raised from tee) and the air is damn near always very dead and the wind is damn near always hurting...

TH

[JESII]

Definitely a lay-up hole  

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Actually Tom, it is my 18* taylor made rescue club, which I hit to about 15 feet but never came close to making the putt.
My knees were shaking, as I could not believe I was lucky enough to be playing on this blessed turf..I just got lucky with the resulting tee shot.

[Brian_Gracely]

Tom,

It's relatively easy to fly a 18* FliHi into the cove to the left of the green .  I believe it's reachable with a 3iron on a calm day.

[THuckaby2]

Michael - I was gonna say rescue club, couldn't tell for sure.  And for a strong player I can buy that that's the shot.  I can also see the relatively strong-hitting Mr. Gracely hitting 3iron on a calm day. But when does one ever get a calm day there?

I've always maintained the hole plays a lot longer than the 200 carry, 220 to the middle - due to dead air, etc.  Concur?

BTW, I know all about knees shaking.  Mine sure were too - all four times I was blessed to play that hole.  The day my knees don't shake on that hole is the day I've become way too jaded.

 

[Paul_Turner]

Where's Mike Cirba?  I've never seen so many ameobas and spilt milk in a single thread.

Paul;

I agree.

I think the bunker work that was done in recent years, although applauded by others here as truly Mackenzian, is too sharp, too clean, too jagged, too frilly, and too white.  Of course, finding fault after playing Cypress is like criticizing Terri Hatcher for the color of her toenails after a roll in the hay.  However, to be fair and consistent, I feel that I should provide my honest opinion since Paul is calling me on it.    

Mackenzie's original bunkers were very lacey, as well, but because the surrounding dunes terrain were much less vegetated (more whitish and sandy), they blended beautifully and lent the artistic touch of man's hand to the incredible landscape.  However, now that much of those areas are now native grasses, while other areas are covered with rich, dark green turf, the contrast can be a bit jarrring.  There is no real "transition" areas between the bunkers and their surrounds any longer, which is the reason they look so stark.

Paul Turner;

What is your opinion of the bunkers?

Anyone else?  Tommy Nac?  

Talk about a "Hot Seat"!  

Mike

You're right. Although Cypress was always a bit on the prissy side Long reign Pine Valley!

And what's going on with the 13th, eh?  Looks like a work of topiary: I see peacocks!  Did someone use a set square?

[Mike_Cirba]

Mike:  I can live with that.  But to me it's akin to Teri Hatcher's toes, as you said - relevant only to those with foot fetishes, or on this case, bunker-look-fetish.

 

Tom;

I can live with that.  Guilty as charged!  

As of yesterday, this is now the background on my computer.



I wouldn't agree with your basic contention that the look of them is irrelevant, however.  If anything, given the incredible course and environment, their look is more important at Cypress Point than almost any other course I can think of.  

[THuckaby2]

Mike - fix that pic - need to see it!

As for the look being irrelevant, well as I say, to each his own.  PLAY is so much more important to me than look that it's as I say.  If they moved them around, I'd quibble.  As for the look, well... the day they color them in purple is the day I complain.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Tom
I do indeed agree, that sea air takes the ball nowhere, even on a still day , as was the case when I was blessed to be there.
It is the noises about the place that help make CPC so special, whether it be the wildlife in and out of the water or the sound of your heart beating away as you see one great hole after another.
If you cannot appreciate the architectural wonder of CPC, you cannot call yourself a golfer.
Dr Mac's flow to the course is so impressive, the ideal blend of short/long par holes..just great

[Mike_Cirba]

Mike - fix that pic - need to see it!

As for the look being irrelevant, well as I say, to each his own.  PLAY is so much more important to me than look that it's as I say.  If they moved them around, I'd quibble.  As for the look, well... the day they color them in purple is the day I complain.

Tom;

Why should I fix that pic if the look doesn't matter?!?!?  

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

You have to understand these are new bunkers, let them be exposed to the winds for a couple of winters and then judge them.
It is a little to easy to sit at our computers and forget that mother nature takes time to put her stamp on any changes that are made...I am convinced the new bunkering will look awesome 2 or3 years from now

[Mike_Cirba]

Mike - fix that pic - need to see it!

Huck;

It's fixed.  

This could be the bunker against which all others are judged.  

[THuckaby2]

Mike - fix that pic - need to see it!

Huck;

It's fixed.  

This could be the bunker against which all others are judged.  

AHA!
OH yes, very cool.
That would be on the extreme POSITIVE end of cool look.  Good call.  Pity that fool down in there.

 

[Brian_Gracely]

Is there a mercy rule for that bunker?  Does the 5 minute lost-ball rule apply?

For anybody that's played both Sand Hills and Tobacco Road, is this bunker deeper or larger than the one fronting #11 at TR?

...and does anybody play at Sand Hills other than Naffer??

[Mike_Cirba]

Is there a mercy rule for that bunker?  Does the 5 minute lost-ball rule apply?

For anybody that's played both Sand Hills and Tobacco Road, is this bunker deeper or larger than the one fronting #11 at TR?

...and does anybody play at Sand Hills other than Naffer??

Brian;

I haven't been to TR yet, but I've been in the bunker on the 4th at Sand Hills.

From the bottom, you get the distinct hopeless feeling of trying to clear a two-story house with a sliver of green on top of the hill beyond, falling off the ledge on the other side.  A nice place for a game of ping-pong.  

My half-skulled recovery zinged out of there on the first attempt, but only to find my ball about 35 yards down the hill on the other side, with the green perched 20 feet above me.

What a great game!  

[Andy Hughes]

From the bottom, you get the distinct hopeless feeling of trying to clear a two-story house with a sliver of green on top of the hill beyond, falling off the ledge on the other side.  A nice place for a game of ping-pong.  

Hmmm, than Brian is right--it is kinda like the 11th at Tobacco Road; though without the ledge on the other side, rather a bunker that I thought I did pretty well finding.

[Gene Greco]

Re: Cirba's Screen Saver

    Believe it or not a playing partner of mine HOLED OUT from the bottom of that bunker. Another respectable gentleman gave him the line, the ball flew over his head, two little bounces and in! I was standing behind the flag where I could not be seen by the player (actually, if you're at the bottom you see nothing but a mountain of sand) and after the ball went in there was a delayed reaction as we looked at one another incredulously. Then we screamed.

To this day the guy who hit the shot doesn't believe he holed it and believes I stuck it in the hole.

[Mike Hendren]

Brian:

    Yes, 'tis a sad moment indeed!

Always felt a mild depression and slight sickness after holing out on 18, walking up the incline and looking back at the perfection which is Cypress Point.  

Gene,

I don't get it, since there's always this delightful chap waiting behind the 18th green that treats you to burgers at the half-way house of a nearby club afterwards.    Look closely and you'll spot his silhouette in one of the photographs.  Hmmm.  He must have had the day off when you were there.  Mabe a conflicting  appointment at the local John Deere dealership.

Mike