"Huntercombe is particularly disappointing. Their work on trees has been going on for years and not much has been achieved. I do note the 3rd green was extended and the OoB on 16 has moved well left, near the fairway. There are several large hollows along the OoB short of the centreline hollow. Quite a different drive now compared to 5ish years ago..."
I know Huntercombe has been very well covered on here previously.
It is a well-loved part of our architectural history.
The 16th was apparently a neighbour complaint issue and agree that the solution is quite out of place.
The new RHS depressions do not match the rest of Park Jnr's wonderful extensive
flat-bottomed extracted "pots" (most of which were sanded originally, and BTW there were press reports of sand being stolen back in the very early days of the common land course!).
The inertia is seemingly what the membership desire (not always a bad thing as it prevents piecemeal changes over time diluting the unique character). Little momemtum for change exists, even for a higher quality restoration. Tree removal is particularly opposed in the local area (local press and green groups jump on any activity even if properly advised and/or needed to manage ash dieback etc.).
The 6th hole has had lots of screening trees planted to protect the adjacent road (appropriately named "Timbers Lane") that splits the course, which is expected in the modern age. But, think more creative use of hazards (humps, depressions and even dare I say it, sand) to steer play away, in combination with less obvious planting, may have been a more sensitive solution. The character of the 6th hole is much changed, but with less risk of liability no doubt.
Perhaps one day when the rest of the South East's great heathland, moorland and downland courses have been restored sensitively, and Huntercombe recedes in others' thinking then things might change, but would not hold your breath...it probably will remain a (very special) time capsule.