Hot off the press - the club have issued today some info on our 10/5 year plan. Some info on course alterations that may interest people on here. I've edited it slightly to remove any mention of the costs.
13th Hole
The 13th hole and green is undoubtedly the least popular on the course, and following the successful reshaping of the 12th, the intention is to work a similar transformation to this hole. Dr Hawtree is preparing plans for some redesign to better fit with the other green complexes around the course and to greatly improve and strengthen this hole. These plans would be debated by Council and shared with Members. His initial observations were that:
“The hole plays across the slope of the fairway and many players cannot reach a point in the fairway where the green is visible leaving a blind 2nd shot. I recommend reshaping the tee shot landing area in such a way that the right-hand-side is lowered and the material is used to lift the left side and to create a series of dune features on the left-hand-side, which shall be planted with marram grass to emphasise the links character on the hole. The lowering of the landing area will also make the green visible from much further back.
The green is severely contoured and the axis of the green is turned about 30 degrees away from the line of play making the green very difficult to hold. The contouring on the green and surrounds is modern in style and does not reflect the rest of the course. It is proposed to move the green a little to the right-hand-side and a little further on to gain a few yards of length and create more room away from the maintenance road and the 4th green. This would also allow a less severe contouring of the surrounds. The axis of the green would be turned towards the line of play and the approach made fair and receptive to a running shot.“
Green Reconstruction.
Reconstruction of the old root rot greens identified by Robert Patterson will continue. From the original list of 9 greens, those at holes 2,3,4,15 and 18 have been done. Those remaining to be upgraded are;
5th, 6th, 16th & 17th These would be dug out, remodeled and relaid.
As an additional option at the 6th, a new green could be built back right to lengthen the hole as, at 491yds, it is a short par 5. This would add to the cost. This change could also open up the opportunity of realigning the 7th hole to move the tees back into the dunes and create a dog leg hole. Appropriate consultation and discussion with members would need to take place prior to either of these options.
Putting Green.
With the 18th green rebuilt, the difference between it and the putting green is very noticeable now when it rains heavily. The 18th drains very well whereas lakes gather on the putting green and it takes time to drain away. The plan this includes digging up and relaying the practice putting green.
Through time there will be a need to visit the remaining green complexes and to re-construct them in order to ensure we have consistency throughout the course and uniformity in putting surfaces. This has to be the long term aim of the club to ensure that the greens will last for another 50 years or longer with the proper management. It is expected that these would be included in any longer term 10 year planning window.
Interestingly the 13th green is one that was remodeled by Steele, and is, as is said above, widely unpopular. However I'm not sure I am all that keen on the proposed flattening of the fairway, but I guess I should wait to see the actual plans before making up my mind. Currently a lot of tee shots end up on the LHS of the fairway / rough due to the mounding on the right, and it is very true that it is hard to hold the green coming in from an aerial route. (This is the green that Rory drove it 427 yards in the Scottish BTW).
Also not convinced about re-modelling the 6th Green and moving the 7th tees (I'm assuming they mean to the current winter tee position which is to the right of the 6th green). That would be a major change to 2 very interesting holes IMO.