Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Sean_A on June 13, 2008, 06:39:31 PM
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As evidenced by the professional's shop and scorecard, simplicity is the watchword of the club. There is also a simple display of Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen photos in the house. Blackwell is one of the few non-championship/championship qualifier rounds Jones played in England. A promise Jones made to Dr Bill Tweddell at the 1928 Walker Cup (they were opposing Captains) held at Chicago GC was kept the day after Jones won the 1930 Open at Hoylake. Despite finishing with mediocre scores of 74 and 75 on the final day, Jones hung on to win the Claret Jug. The game at Blackwell was surely a walk in the park!
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The village of Blackwell in north-eastern Worcestershire is maybe 10 miles from the centre of Birmingham. On the edge of the village, in glorious farm country, Blackwell GC has a very modest number of members making the course readily available on most days. The course too is unusual in that it was designed by the team of Fowler and Simpson; a rarity in golf architecture. Fowler has enough famous designs in England to be a fairly well known in golf circles. Simpson on the other hand has very little remaining work in the British Isles and remains a figure shrouded in a bit of mystery. For certain Simpson was a controversial architect who enjoyed creating mischievous designs. For instance, according to Bernard Darwin, golfers in their ignorance did not like being teased by his “diabolical antics” and accordingly Simpson’s revisionary work at Sunningdale New was returned back to Colt’s plans by John Morrison. What we do know about Simpson can be gleaned from the many texts he authored, co-authored or contributed towards; perhaps the most famous being The Architectural Side of Golf co-authored with R Wethered. His views on golf most definitely leaned toward strategic, thinking man’s golf, but with flare. Simpson’s basic tenet was “The vital thing about a hole is that it should either be more difficult than it looks or look more difficult than it is. It must never be what it looks.”
Certainly, Blackwell isn’t what it looks as the course features deception and/or risky options throughout. Some of the above is due to bunkering, some to water hazards, some to green shapes and some to excellent use of perfectly rolling terrain. Looking at sketches Simpson prepared it is clear the architects intended to make a bold a statement at Blackwell. The bunkering schemes blended with the mounding rolling around the greens were to cause perceptual doubt and be stunning in appearance. Under the guidance of Infinite Variety, the club embarked on 10 year plan to renovate the bunkers and remove trees. An example is the bunkering on #10. While unquestionably deceptive, the original sketches demonstrate an elegance in the bunkering which the renovation has tried to recapture. The 11th, somehow comes nowhere near what the sketch represents and the result is one of the most bland holes on the course.
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The 16th comes closer to the Simpson ideal, but none of the mounding which ties the bunkering together is present.
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In any case, the reader has an idea of what Fowler and Simpson envisioned for Blackwell and quite remarkable the concept was. It is often the case that when clubs put their course under the knife for renovation that the urge to add yards here and there is too strong to resist. Kudos to Blackwell because there doesn't appear to be any such notion. Anyone who has played the course will know there is plenty of challenge as the SSS is one stroke higher than the par of 70.
Blackwell is one of the older clubs in Worcestershire being founded in 1893. The original 9 hole course was altered by Colt in 1912; soon after the club purchased 102 acres and wanted to expand to 18 holes. Designs were submitted by Colt and Fowler/Simpson and Fowler & Simpson won the commission perhaps because they envisioned a completely new design whereas Colt may have wanted to add nine holes to his current work. The nines were switched in the mid 30s. I am not sure why, but perhaps the club wanted to finish on a par 4 rather than a par 3. We shall also never know for sure how much of Blackwell is Simpson and how much is Fowler, not that it matters a great deal.
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The first hole, while far from easy, is a mild opener playing blind over a hill. There is a sneaky bunker up the right which is reachable. Fowler and Simpson were hold outs to some degree as neither were adverse to blind features when the prevailing thinking was very much in the opposite direction. Although, Simpson disapproved of blind approaches. The second is a tough, uphill mid-length par three with the green sloping toward the front right. Evidence of a new bunkering style is on the left. I am not completely sold as I prefer the grassed-over style of the bunkers on the right (if renovated), but this is a minor issue.
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Since 2014 the club has been fairly aggressive in pushing out the grassing lines and to great effect. However, there are still areas where heavy rough is in play when a first cut or fairway would be more appropriate. Trees too are an issue the club has been tackling, but some sightlines to bunkers are still blocked by trees. This is the case on the very demanding 3rd, a brutal par 4 turning right and swinging steeply uphill. The green-side bunkering creates a double dogleg effect which originally would have made the right fairway bunkers more meaningful with tree clearance. Below is a look at the two-tier green.
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The first par 5 follows the property line down the left and is quite reachable in two if the golfer is willing to first take on the right fairway bunker and second, the clutch of bunkers short of the green. The fairway has been significantly widened to the right, but some outlier trees were oddly allowed to remain. Below is a look at the cross bunkers.
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#5 turns right and continues along the property line. A well placed but visually rather amateurish centre-line bunker is featured for the drive. The green is quite interesting as it rises to a second tier that is mounded and then slopes away from play.
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The 6th is perhaps the best of a terrific set of short holes.
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An up n' over short blind par 4 follows, however, a bunker is placed exactly on the line one needs to take if driving the green is the goal.
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The next, a three-shotter curling left around a road and over a ditch is reachable in two, but the risks are very high. This hole is a good example of the tree issue. The hole parallels #3 and some good views would be available by cutting trees down the right. However, further up the fairway trees were cleared to offer a good view of the house across the pond. Below is the ditch which then (blind from the tee) runs across the fairway and up the right flank. Just for good measure there is OOB left.
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The side finishes with another good par 3 and once again water is involved. Unusually, Blackwell features six holes with water, four of which sees the water play a signifcant role. The horrible bushes/vegetation to the right of the green were removed to open a view to the third tee. Indeed, when Blackwell opened the entire hill between the 3rd tee and 1st fairway was void of trees; making for much better views from the house. There also used to be a back right bunker to protect against the overly cautious tee shot.
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The back nine is seen by some as the better side and we get a sense of why immediately. The 10th bends strongly left against the terrain and the fairway bunkers look a doddle to carry, but in fact I reckon its about 250 yards. Originally, only the two lovely oaks stood on the right of the fairway making it much easier to bail right and be left with an awfully difficult second. The green beyond the fairway bunkers.
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The 11th is a long, difficult par 3 heading in the same direction as the 10th. The removal of branches etc on the left has now made it possible to play a slight fade off the tee. The presence of the city is evident as the railway line is a few yards away on the left. The final par 5 features the once incredibly long and sinewy bunker down the right. Originally the bunker was over 300 yards long, cutting across the fairway about 75 yards short of the green and continuing up the left to green high. I don't think this bunker was the work of Fowler/Simpson. I suspect the current line of the bunker used to be a drainage ditch. The bunker has been broken into four or five sections, perhaps to create bridges for trolleys to cross the sand. #13 is an excellent mid-length par 3 which utilizes water very well. Is there another classic era parkland course in Britain which features so much water? Two years after playing Blackwell Bobby Jones got stuck into ANGC and the famous short 12th hole. There is more than a passing resemblance...
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Despite the poor quality, this old photo reveals the accuracy of the restored 13th. The back left bunker is not reflective of Simpson's plan.
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It was a stroke of genius to remove a tree or two to the rear of the green and fully open up the trouble when long.
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The fine golf continues with #14. This is the third par 4 over 400 yards and like #3, plays longer because of the uphill approach. Swinging to the left, a bunker squeezes the inside of the leg and a mature tree near the ditch protects the outside of the leg. This hole is perhaps a bit too tight given the demanding second. However, a house and a lane out of picture left do need tree protection. It would seem the club is reluctant to cut down tree(s) on the right, but with necessary encroachment on the left it seems like either the tree should go or the fairway bunker removed.
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In this photo looking back we can see the trees between 14 & 15 and how except for a few examples, add nothing to the course in terms of aesthetics or playability.
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Turning back on ourselves, we once again drive downhill over a ditch then approach to a green perched on a shelf - yet another fine hole.
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Thinking the back of the course is now broken, we now face a hole that instead breaks the back of the golfer; 458 yards with blind fairway bunkering (left and right!), cross bunkers and greenside bunkers plus a dash of dead ground. It is hard to believe Simpson advocated the right/left bunkering over the brow of the hill.
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#17 is a short, but deadly par 4. There seems to be plenty of room off the tee, but in fact the fairway turns so sharply that a lay-up is prudent. This leaves an uphill assault on a fortress like green. Another superb hole on this very good back nine.
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The final hole brings the golfer home in style. This moderate length two-shotter plays blind and downhill for the drive then turns left for home. The green rests on the corner of the house and any approach promises to gain the attention of loafers. I have never quite seen a set-up such as at Blackwell. The 9th green is just below the house to the left (out of picture), the first tee is directly outside the front door, the practice green is wrapped around the house just outside the spike bar and the 10th tee just beyond. An added touch of class is the house blocks the view of the car park which is a mere 25 yards behind the 10th tee! There is no question this arrangement is attractive and supremely functional. It is a wonder that archies these days don't deem it necessary to integrate the house with the course.
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There is a ton to like about Blackwell, especially the back nine. It is heartening to see the club taking strides to right the wrongs of tree encroachment and restrictive grass lines, however, there is a long way to go. The course is set in lovely countryside and many interior views could be recreated. There can be no doubt as to the merit of the design as holes the quality of 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18 is a significant achievement. Additionally, the course has been deemed good enough to host Open Regional Qualifying for several years so it is clear there is a least a decent test of golf at hand - which is all the more remarkable because this par 70, 6260 yard layout required a mere 102 acres. I will certainly return to check up on the progress! 2017
Ciao
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Kee-Rice-t Sean,
that is one sexy golf course. She really lies around that landscape like the slovenliest harlot I have ever seen. If I was married to Cypress Point I'd leave her and run away with this wench!
Some of that bunkering is the most stimulating point/counter-point. I know of nothing else similar. THAT is PROPER creativity. I haven't enjoyed a picture based post so much - EVER. THANKYOU!
I am now properly energised for BUDA. Look out, colonial weaklings!
FBD.
PS Principal Dodd is safely ensconsed in the Guest Wing and knows nothing of this Post (luckily!). He killed Monifeith and Panmure in the company of one Mr Kilfara today but has succumbed to the influence of too much Glenlivet and Macallan this evening....my evil plan comes to delicious fruition before my very eyes...Bwaaaahhhhaaaaahhh!!! Look out, US of A!!!!
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I'll fight you for her Marty. Great post and pic, Sean.
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Just when I get tired of some idiotic tirades with little to nothing to do with golf, and I begin to wonder I bother to visit this site, once again Sean you come through with another great hidden gem and some fantistic photos.
Thank you for once again making this site worth the time to visit.
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Sean -
Thanks for the pics. Yet another English 'hidden gem' that I had never heard of, but would love to play.
For what it is worth, my 11th edition (published 1994) of The Sunday Telegraph Golf Course Guide To Britain & Ireland listed the course as 'designed by H. Fowler & T. Simpson.'
DT
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Sean
Thanks for the report. The course looks to be very well preserved. Also I love the size and the look of the clubhouse, and they way it is integrated into the golf course and site.
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Fantastic; another great photo review by the master. The subtlety of the hazards and the gouge bunker are impressive.
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Sean:
Thanks for the review. I have a good friend who is a member of Palmetto, Piping Rock and Blackwell, and I'd never understood why of all the clubs in the UK he chose that one. He said it was mostly the people, but I knew there had to be an interesting course involved, too ... it's just one that nobody ever talks about.
Just the picture of the clubhouse, 1st tee and 18th green shows they have their priorities in order. I wish somebody in America knew how to build a clubhouse like that!
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Just when I get tired of some idiotic tirades with little to nothing to do with golf, and I begin to wonder I bother to visit this site, once again Sean you come through with another great hidden gem and some fantistic photos.
Thank you for once again making this site worth the time to visit.
Hear Hear , me too .
Thanks for posting Sean .
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That snake bunker on the 12th looks awfully familiar and I can recall seeing it elsewhere (Spa? Chantilly?), which would add evidence to the Simpson camp.
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Little Aston often gets the tip by the press etc, but for many of those in golfing circles, Blackwell is THE club in the Brum area. Blackwell is also unusual in that with so few members the course is often empty any day of the week, yet the visitor fee is set high enough to keep folks away. Obviously, members like the course empty and don't mind paying for the priveledge - which isn't all that much especially based on American standards.
The clubhouse is nice, but understated. There isn't much fancy dan business inside and from my experience, the spike bar (the windows near the putting green) is the most popular room. Its all very low key with the course being the only real reason to be hangin around the club.
Jon - pix of the snake bunker have been posted before - maybe you are thinking of the one and same bunker! I certainly think Simpson had something to do with the bunkering and probably the greens. However, the routing seems like it could easily have been done by Fowler. So far as I know, Fowler is the only guy who makes courses so individual and I guess he was able to this because he truly believed in the mantra of the land dictating the style of the course.
Ciao
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This is why we return to this site - bloody marvellous.
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I enjoyed this photos and commentary a lot. The course looks like a place where you get to exercise your brain.
The proximity of the clubhouse to first tee and 18th green is really cool. Looks like a great place to be a member.
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Its gets very frustrating not to be able to read greens.
Jon - pix of the snake bunker have been posted before - maybe you are thinking of the one and same bunker!
I certainly think Simpson had something to do with ...(edit)...and probably the greens.
I think you answered your own conundrum. Mainly on the evidence of Walton Heath I think Simpson was the man who did the more devilish and interesting greens.
Very cool report Sean although I’m still not really sure why you don’t absolutely love the place? Until now this course had passed under my radar, but now I will seek it out, looks fascinating.
Jon there’s also been pictures of a similar(ish) bunker at Sutton Coldfied which can’t be that far away.
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Its gets very frustrating not to be able to read greens.
Jon - pix of the snake bunker have been posted before - maybe you are thinking of the one and same bunker!
I certainly think Simpson had something to do with ...(edit)...and probably the greens.
I think you answered your own conundrum. Mainly on the evidence of Walton Heath I think Simpson was the man who did the more devilish and interesting greens.
Very cool report Sean although I’m still not really sure why you don’t absolutely love the place? Until now this course had passed under my radar, but now I will seek it out, looks fascinating.
Jon there’s also been pictures of a similar(ish) bunker at Sutton Coldfied which can’t be that far away.
Tony
I can't put my finger on what bothers me about Blackwell. The only things I come up with is how they have let trees ruin interior views and weird rough patches which come way outside the tree line ala Merion style.
I don't know enough about Simpson's greens to make a judgement. I have only seen a few of his courses and its seems very tough to know what exactly he did. In any case, I don't think Simpson did Blackwell alone. There are touches of Fowler's style throughout the course and believe me, Fowler could build a green or two. Make yer way to Beau Desert.
Ciao
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See the updated photo tour. I am much more impressed now than in previous years.
Previous stops on the 2011-12 Winter Tour:
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42178.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42178.0.html) Stratford
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51420.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51420.0.html) Saunton West
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51415.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51415.0.html) Saunton East
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51321.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,51321.0.html) Sutton Coldfield
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32228.0.html) Huntercombe
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35648.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35648.0.html) Whittington Heath
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40029.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40029.0.html) Edgbaston
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50805.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50805.0.html) Sherwood Forest
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32655.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,32655.0.html) Woking
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50427.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50427.0.html) Berkhamsted
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,46538.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,46538.0.html) Coxmoor
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37725.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37725.0.html) Temple
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,38973.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,38973.0.html) Little Aston
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30965.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30965.0.html) Beau Desert
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33988.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,33988.0.html) Notts
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50088.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50088.0.html) The Old Course
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50086.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50086.0.html) The New Course
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50078.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,50078.0.html) The Castle Course
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30926.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,30926.0.html) Kington
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37526.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,37526.0.html) Harborne
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49998.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,49998.0.html) Worcester G&CC
No future scheduled stops.
Ciao
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Very cool report. All I can add is you have to see Liphook, many of the ideas e.g fall away greens and general disguise do seem to be from the same mind.
There's an "i" missing from the first bracket above.
The 16th comes closer, but none of the mounding which ties the bunkering together is present. In any case, the reader has an idea of what Fowler and Simpson envisioned for Blackwell and quite remarkable the concept was.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/BLACKWELL/BlackwellOld2.jpg)
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff114/seanrobertarble/BLACKWELL/066.jpg)
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I have very fond memories of Balckwell, I won the Midland Boys title there way back in 1979 I think it was...lovely golf course..but wow how cool it would be with those original concept bunkers!!!
I remember they always had the best greens in the Midlands, the fastest by far.
That was always one of the great appeals to play there.
Thanks again Sean
mwp
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Spangles
Yes, I would like to see Liphook one day. I may have to break down for a PM game as they only accept the county card then. Are you interested in having another go?
Ciao
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Sean,
Cheers for the tour, Blackwell looks a delight! Great pics of the Simpson sketches and the setting of the clubhouse looks great. I'll certainly be utilising the reciprocal we have there this year I hope?
Do you know any more of the origin of the really long bunker on the 12th? was it an old dry ditch, or track or something?
Cheers,
James
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Sean,
Cheers for the tour, Blackwell looks a delight! Great pics of the Simpson sketches and the setting of the clubhouse looks great. I'll certainly be utilising the reciprocal we have there this year I hope?
Do you know any more of the origin of the really long bunker on the 12th? was it an old dry ditch, or track or something?
Cheers,
James
Boony
I don't know why that bunker was built the way it was. I spose in the old days there were less trees so the bunker would have had more impact. Today it just makes the hole play fairly narrow.
Ciao
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Sean,
I just checked out Google Earth's 1945 pics and there is something there where that long bunker is. I guess its probably a buner back then but its not the clearest picture so it could be a track or a ditch?
Certainly looks to make the hole narrow. But the bunker itself is pretty narrow along its length also.
Cheers,
James
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Sean,
I just checked out Google Earth's 1945 pics and there is something there where that long bunker is. I guess its probably a buner back then but its not the clearest picture so it could be a track or a ditch?
Certainly looks to make the hole narrow. But the bunker itself is pretty narrow along its length also.
Cheers,
James
Boony
Yes, I am convinced the long bunker is not original to F&S. I think it was an old ditch that was filled with sand. It certainly looks like a ditch up close.
Ciao
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All
Please see updated pix.
Ciao
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Sean’s description is perceptive, his photos adequately showing the nuances of the holes. I give you a few more photos simply to expand on Sean’s commentary. Unfortunately mine are testament to our dreadful summer and very dark.
I was not disappointed with the course, but I was disappointed with its condition. The greens had been given severe treatment of a tining nature. They were horribly slow, spongy, bumpy and something of a lottery. Trees had been allowed to constrict some holes in a silly manner – maybe some photos will illustrate this. There was also a strange policy about the first cut of rough. Sean described it as Merionesque, and I agree. It was a couple of inches long and very grabbing. But what made it really ridiculous was that this stuff surrounded every green in a way which meant that if you came out of a bunker there were several feet of this stuff between the top of the bunker and the putting surface. Sean made the point that Blackwell might have the least fairway of any course in response to Mike Nuzzo’s post about a course with the most fairway.
Blackwell is an aristocratic club in ethos. But I find the current set up/maintenance meld completely at odds with such a club, which I would mention in the same breath as Rye, Aldeburgh, New Zealand and Swinley Forest in its attitude to life. You only have to enter the clubhouse to realise you are in a time warp. If only the course were.
1. 413 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010002.jpg)
The view from the first tee is of two bunkers guarding the crest of a hill over which you drive. The bunkers are about 170 from the tee. The farther bunker to which Sean refers is 282 from the tee, far beyond my reach.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010003.jpg)
I do not suppose this green-front bunker looked like this in Fowler’s day.
2. 178 yards par 3
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010005.jpg)
Being uphill this hole plays much longer than its indicated yardage. There is quite a narrow entrance between a wide bunker front right and another on the left.
3. 448 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010008.jpg)
The somewhat claustrophobic view from the tee, the trees on the right presumably planted to protect players from errant shots on the 8th hole. As you can see those trees also negate the impact of two bunkers short and right of the fairway. You can also just pick out the stream which crosses the fairway on the diagonal, 216 yards from the back tee on the right and 288 yards on the left.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010009.jpg)
After bending right, the fairway then climbs and moves slightly to the left, creating a double dog-leg. Again, the trees on the left are very close to the line of play. It is a very demanding hole.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010011.jpg)
A look back down the fairway. The putting surface is only 23 yards long, somewhat ungenerous for receiving a long approach shot.
4. 490 yards par 5
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010014.jpg)
I cannot reach the right hand bunker 297 yards away from the back tee, but why has that young tree been planted in the rough on the direct line to the bunker? The trees on the left are tight up against the mown fairway.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010015.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010016.jpg)
The fairway bears right past the bunker, climbing gently towards the green.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010017.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010018.jpg)
Progress to the green is impeded by a semi-circle of bunkers 30-odd yards in front of the putting surface
5. 351 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010020.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010022.jpg)
A downhill drive must be made over the bunker at 238 yards from the back tee. There is little room on the left where out-of-bounds runs the length of the hole.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010023.jpg)
The approach is played over a stream and slightly uphill to a long green 39 yards long and sloping significantly from back to front. The greens were so slow that it was well nigh impossible to putt from the back to a green position at the front!
6. 160 yards par 3
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010024.jpg)
A good downhill short hole with extravagant mound work in front of the green partially concealing some of the four bunkers to either side of a long (38 yards), narrow and wickedly contoured green.
7. 288 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010026.jpg)
Rated Stroke 18 this ought to be the easiest hole on the course. The drive is made uphill past a marker post.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010028.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010029.jpg)
From wherever the drive has finished the approach shot to the little green is tricky, quite sharply downhill with out-of-bounds just through the back of the putting surface and a diabolically placed bunker on the right front of the green on the line most approaches will be made.
8. 486 yards par 5
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010031.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010032.jpg)
For the first time visitor the drive is somewhat intimidating with trees close in on both sides and a ditch crossing the fairway on the corner with out-of-bounds left. Two drive bunkers on the right are almost wholly obscured by the trees.
The ditch re-crosses the fairway just past this dangerous corner where those attempting heroic long drives may easily perish.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010035.jpg)
The approach to the green is fairly straightforward.
9. 203 yards par 3
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010037.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010038.jpg)
The yellow, visitors’ tee is set at a more manageable 157 yards, but as the green is entirely surrounded by the Merionesque grasping semi-rough chipping is far from predictable.
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10. 382 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010040.jpg)
Can you clear the bunkers or can you find the narrow strip of fairway to the right of them without crashing into a tree?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010042.jpg)
Those bunkers stretch for 50 yards, demanding a carry of 270 yards or more to clear them from the back tee.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010043.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010044.jpg)
The slightly uphill approach is extensively bunkered.
11. 222 yards par 3
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010046.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010047.jpg)
The trees are ridiculous here obscuring much of the wide green – there is even a third bunker completely invisible further right! Perhaps the trees were planted to try to protect the 17th tee which is located within them.
12. 512 yards par 5
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010049.jpg)
The tee shot is played across the previous green to a narrow fairway lined by trees all the way to the green.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010052.jpg)
For more than 200 yards this trench bunker gradually encroaches into the fairway from the right. It was formerly reputed to be the longest bunker in the country, but it is now split into shorter sections, presumably to enable trolleys to cross it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010053.jpg)
This photo shows how the Merionesque stuff is maintained all around bunkers and greens. In fact on several instances it prevented my ball from running into bunkers. Surely bunkers should be all-gathering?
13. 181 yards par 3
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010055.jpg)
Again trees obscure the right hand portion of the green.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010057.jpg)
That pin position was very difficult to access, with the ditch running hard across the front of the putting surface. The green is wide but only 19 yards deep.
14. 405 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010059.jpg)
You have to keep right of those bunkers (which like so many at Blackwell are set into the rough, not the mown fairway, but if you keep too well to the right your second shot may be blocked out by an intruding tree.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010061.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010063.jpg)
Not only must the tree be avoided but also another ditch crossing at that point.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010064.jpg)
The green is raised, well protected by surrounding bunkers and mounds and features a multi-contoured putting surface.
15. 392 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010066.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010068.jpg)
From the tee there is no view of the bunkers lurking in wait on the right of the fairway as it curves that way.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010069.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010070.jpg)
The fairway begins to climb past those bunkers making the second shot seem longer than its yardage might suggest.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010071.jpg)
The putting surface is well contoured and chipping from off the green demands great control.
16. 462 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010074.jpg)
From the tee of this very long two-shotter not everything is revealed. It would seem that the principal threat is trees on either hand.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010076.jpg)
These bunkers also lie in wait at 228 and 250 yards from the tee.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010077.jpg)
These bunkers await those who cannot get home in two shots. Additionally, there is a slight false front to the green.
17. 322 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010081.jpg)
The tee shot is downhill towards two well-placed bunkers.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010083.jpg)
Then it is quite sharply uphill over a ridged fairway to reach the green. Trees encroaching on the left may well cut out the second shots of those who tried to cut the corner of the dog-leg.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010084.jpg)
It is an attractively located green.
18. 365 yards par 4
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010086.jpg)
From the tee you cannot see much of what lies in store.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010088.jpg)
Farther along the fairway it becomes clear that the better line is not along the left of the fairway where the trees may completely obscure the green from view.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/markrowlinson/Blackwell/P1010089.jpg)
The green is beautifully located right beside the clubhouse with that big, grabbing bunker prominently in view. The putting surface is cleverly contoured and at 26 yards long and very narrow from side to side it is no easy target. All in all a lovely course with some great holes, but often compromised by trees and that strange mowing practice.
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Sean,
Excellent post. I am beginning why anyone from England would ever come over to the US to play golf unless it was for someplace special like Pine Valley, Cypress, or Augusta. Otherwise you seem to have so much more variety, charm, and all of the other qualities that golf should be really about.
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Nice seeing this one again. That clubhouse setting is perfection.
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I recently got appointed by Blackwell to help them in the multi year restoration process of their Simpson/Fowler course.
Just wanted to post some stuff here that you might find interesting such as old course pics, aerial pics, maps and drawings
First here is an aerial picture from the 1940's which hangs in the clubhouse
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Blackwell%20aerial%201940%27s.jpg)
Compare that with a current aerial
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Blackwell%20aerial%202010%27s.JPG)
It is clear that there were virtually no trees at that point, that the fairways were very wide and that the bunkers still mostly had the Simpson styled lace edges.
Here is a picture taken from the clubhouse of the ninth green and the third fairway showing the style of the bunkering that Simpson and Fowler used
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Blackwell%20hole%209.jpg)
Here are some well known sketches that Simpson did on the bunkering for the course
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Blackwell%2010.jpg)
Green 10
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Blackwell%2011.jpg)
Green 11
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Blackwell%2016.jpg)
Green 16
A map of the 1960's shows that at that point a number of changes had already happened, especially tree planting
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Blackwell%20course%20plan%201962.jpg)
Some work has already happened in house on holes 5 and 6
The bunkers were modelled more according to the pictures that were available of the bunkers during the 30's than on the sketches of Simpson, which were busier than what was actually built on the ground.
First hole 6, a beautiful short/medium legth downhill par 3 hole. Here are three pics of how the hole looked before.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%206%20before%201.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%206%20before%202.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%206%20before%203.jpg)
And here pictures of the hole as it is now. There is still the large bunker in front of the green (see old aerial) that will need to go in, but that will probably happen this winter.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%206%20after%201.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%206%20after%203.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%206%20after%202.jpg)
Hole 5 is a short dogleg right par 4 where a lot of the strategy was lost due to tree planting in the inside corner.
Here is the green before the bunkers were changed.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%205%20before.jpg)
And here is how it looks now
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%205%20after%201.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%205%20after%202.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%205%20after%203.jpg)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/Max%20Lounge/Blackwell/Hole%205%20after%204.jpg)
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Frank,
Firstly, congratulations in securing the restoration work. I already rate Blackwell, which forms one of a ring of fine courses around Birmingham and is not that far from me, highly and look forward to playing it some more and seeing your restoration work progress. A Simpson/Fowler gem IMO. Most definitely worth playing if anyone reading here is in the South Birmingham area. The old photo looking across the 9th green from the clubhouse is a cracker, the player sitting on the green is rather amusing, and I recall there are many other wonderful old photos displayed in the lovely old clubhouse. Thanks for posting and good luck with the work.
All the best.
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Frank,
Just so I understand.
Was that bunker work in the "after" photos of 5 & 6 done by your team or done in-house?
Congrats on the appointment,
Ally
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Frank,
Just so I understand.
Was that bunker work in the "after" photos of 5 & 6 done by your team or done in-house?
Congrats on the appointment,
Ally
It was done completely in-house by the course manager and his guys using their own digger and hand work.
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Frank,
Just so I understand.
Was that bunker work in the "after" photos of 5 & 6 done by your team or done in-house?
Congrats on the appointment,
Ally
It was done completely in-house by the course manager and his guys using their own digger and hand work.
Thanks Frank - After your appointment though? I think I misunderstood your post above... Thought you had been brought in after the "after" photos of 5 & 6
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Ally,
the appointment process was quite lengthy (the club was also considering other well known architects), which meant that I visited the club several times during that period (which was easy since I had just been appointed at nearby Copt Heath).
During one of these early visits the club asked me what I thought of their bunker shapes, at which I answered that I would restore them back to the original Simpson lace edge shapes. The club then proceeded to do just that with two holes (5,6) where the green side bunkers had to be renovated anyways. I gave the course manager some guidance on how best to do the work before he started and also gave him feedback on the work on a subsequent visit, but he and his crew did all the work in-house.
Although I think the guys did an excellent job and I am very pleased with the results so far, I will be much more directly involved in subsequent bunker works, which I think will lead to an even more refined end product.
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Frank, that's good news that you're also doing some work at Copt Heath as well. Another south Birmingham (UK) course I like playing, although I've always thought it a little over-maintained in places, a bit too open in places, especially on the back-9. It would be nice to see more gorse and heather there. I'm sure it was prevalent once upon a time.
All the best.
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Very interesting posts.
As a memebr of Copt Heath during my teenage years I would love to see some phots of any changes done there.
I love the new bunkering at Blackwell a course with fond memeories for me as I won the prestigious Midland Boys titke there back in 1980 I think it was, so I have my name permanantly on the wall in the clubhouse, which is always a thrill.
Those new bunkers look so much better, very nice job.
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Well Frank - what gives?
Ciao
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Well Frank - what gives?
Ciao
Sean,
I just finished the Master Plan for the course, using the old aerial from the 40's and an old course book from the 20's a member found in his attic. Its still under discussion so I cannot say too much, other than that we will be restoring the old bunker shapes, sizes and locations on many holes. Also we will be taking a close look at the many trees that now are blocking strategic shots on the course.... In general many of the dramatic bunkers that were on the course such as 2, 3/8, 10 and 11 will be restored. Also a big effort will be made to extend the short grass areas around the greens wherever possible.
In terms of concrete works for this year, we are starting bunker work on:
- the right fw bunker on 1
- the left green bunker on 2
- the right green bunker on 3
- the first left fw bunker on 10
- the right green bunkers on 13
- the left fw bunker on 12
These bunkers are singled out because they have Sportscrete in them, which has not been a success, and they need to be redone soon.
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These bunkers are singled out because they have Sportscrete in them, which has not been a success, and they need to be redone soon.
Frank,
Thanks for the update.
I like the Blackwell course so it's nice to hear how things are developing.
A couple of questions if I may -
Why do Blackwell consider the Sportscrete to have been unsuccessful?
What is being done with the Sportscrete waste/spoil?
What sort of base will the bunkers be re-done with?
atb
PS - how has your work just up the M42 at Copt Heath been progressing? Maybe an update on the C-H photo-tour thread? - http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,44836.0.html
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These bunkers are singled out because they have Sportscrete in them, which has not been a success, and they need to be redone soon.
Frank,
Thanks for the update.
I like the Blackwell course so it's nice to hear how things are developing.
A couple of questions if I may -
Why do Blackwell consider the Sportscrete to have been unsuccessful?
What is being done with the Sportscrete waste/spoil?
What sort of base will the bunkers be re-done with?
atb
PS - how has your work just up the M42 at Copt Heath been progressing? Maybe an update on the C-H photo-tour thread? - http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,44836.0.html
The Sportscrete has been falling apart in the bunker, giving a lot of stones in the sand, a problem it ironically was first used for to solve. Not sure why, maybe the application wasn't done in the right way, or the product just doesn't work, I have seen similar problems at other clubs, and. I think the company has folded because of these problems....
Plan now is to excavate the sportscrete out of the affected bunkers, and then replace it with a system similar to the one we have used at Copt Heath to stop stones from coming up. The CH system is granite grit in the bottom, which stops stones coming up because it is heavy, and then either liner or sods in the faces.
The bunkers at CH have done very well, both in playability and in reducing maintenance due to much less washouts last winter, even though it was one of the wettest winters in history.
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Thanks for these updates Frank. I look forward to playing both Blackwell and Copt Heath once again.
atb
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Also a big effort will be made to extend the short grass areas around the greens wherever possible.
Cha-ching. This is easily Blackwell's biggest issue in terms of pure playability. Absolutely one of worst courses I have come across in terms of cut lines.
Ciao
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Well Frank, what gives? People need to know the score.
Ciao
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I am interested in any cahnges or uopdates also Frank, hope all is well.
What other projects across the channel are also in the works?
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I finally made it back to Blackwell to see some of the progress. I have to say, while to many looking at photos the difference may seem subtle, but the aggregate of widened fairways and tree/vegetation removal is a remarkable transformation. Don't get me wrong, the club has a long, very long way to go to fully recapature the grandeur of the Fowler/Simpson design, but the headway made thus far in this 5 year plan is striking.
The bunkers? I am not sure about them. The course and club is a simple affair and I wonder if well done grass-over faces aren't a better look, especially given the parkland setting.
I any case, many kudos to the club and Frank.
See the updated tour on page 1 and watch this space.
Ciao
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Thanks for the update Sean. I'm Blackwell fan, plenty of fine holes with some splendid green complexes, but I have always sensed something was somehow missing or has been lost over the years so it's nice to read your encouraging comments as to how things are moving ahead. Another visit beckons. A club with a small membership, intentionally so I believe.
For the benefit of those who may be interested, I believe there is an annual 3-round open competition comprising 1 round each on consecutive days at Blackwell, Little Aston and Beau Desert. Quite a yummy combination.
atb
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I finally made it back to Blackwell to see some of the progress. I have to say, while to many looking at photos the difference may seem subtle, but I can assure the aggregate of widened fairways and tree/vegetation removal is a remarkable transformation. Don't get me wrong, the club has a long, very long way to go to fully recapature the grandeur of the Fowler/Simpson design, but the headway made thus far in this 5 year plan is striking.
The bunkers? I am not sure about them. The course and club is a simple affair and I wonder if well done grass-over faces aren't a better look, especially given the parkland setting.
I any case, many kudos to the club and Frank.
See the updated tour on page 1 ad watch this space.
Ciao
Sean, glad that you liked what you saw, we are indeed in the early stages of what we want to achieve in terms of wider corridors, wider fairways, returning the original strategy, more short grass around the greens and restoring the original green sizes. But the club and the greens staff are keen to continue this work over the coming years on the remaining holes.
In terms of bunkers I can understand your taste for a simple style. However I am a simple person when it comes to restoring classic courses in that I look at the oldest pics I can get to get a feel for the bunker style that the original archie used, and then try to emulate that as best as possible. In the case of Blackwell we have 1926 (!!!) pics which show the style right after Simpson left, so it does not come much better than that.
I show some of these below:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/GolfClubAtlas/Blackwell-hole-6-1926.jpg)
Hole 6
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/GolfClubAtlas/Blackwell-hole-18-1926.jpg)
Hole 18
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/GolfClubAtlas/Blackwell-hole-14-1926.jpg)
Hole 14
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/GolfClubAtlas/Blackwell-hole-4-5-1926.jpg)
Looking over green 4 to hole 5
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10772736/GolfClubAtlas/Blackwell-hole-9-1926.jpg)
Hole 9
Only restraint we have is that because they have such a stone problem, the club has decided to use the same system we used at Copt Heath, namely bunker mat liner on the faces and crushed granite on the bottom. The liner somewhat limits the shapes you can do with the bunker edges, and also makes the edges cleaner in the short term than they will be longer term, but overall I am happy with the end results so far, especially given that all the work has been done in-house by course manager Rhys and his team.
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Fine old photos Frank. Thanks for posting.
A couple of initial observations -
There were numerous bunkers all the way across in front of the par-3 6th green in 1926 that have not been 'restored'. Any particular rreason?
Per the various old photos, the 1960's plan and a quick look at Bings satmap, it appears that the pond on the par-3 9th hole was expanded considerably sometime in the last few decades for the hole is now played over the pond rather than to the left side of it as it once was.
atb
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That original bunkering on 6 looks amazing.
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Fine old photos Frank. Thanks for posting.
A couple of initial observations -
There were numerous bunkers all the way across in front of the par-3 6th green in 1926 that have not been 'restored'. Any particular rreason?
Per the various old photos, the 1960's plan and a quick look at Bings satmap, it appears that the pond on the par-3 9th hole was expanded considerably sometime in the last few decades for the hole is now played over the pond rather than to the left side of it as it once was.
atb
Thomas,
We will still restore the missing cross bunker in front of hole 6 in the near future. I advocated for doing it when we restored the bunkers on hole 6 two years ago, since the existing depression for me clearly indicated a bunker must have been there, but at the time we had no hard historical evidence. These 1926 pics which we found afterwards and an 1946 aerial pic clearly proved the point since then. The bunker was probably taken out when the ladies tee was lengthened and the ladies found it hard to carry the bunker.....
On hole 9 you are very right, indeed the pond was expanded, in my view unfortunately. I think the old situation had more interesting pin positions on the front part of the green that was lost and provided more opportunities to play bump and run from the left. A water hole is very very unusual for Simpson/Fowler, and the old situation had water, but a lot less in play. It does not look like we will be able to restore the old situation, too costly, so we will have to find other ways to make the bump and run shot via the left viable, eg through different mowing lines.
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That original bunkering on 6 looks amazing.
Jud,
You are very right, Simpson was the master of the fortress bunkered short par 3 hole, think:
Hardelot holes 5 and 7
Royal Spa holes 2 and 6
Unfortunately a lot of them had lost their visual "teeth". However Patrice and I have restored Hardelot 5 and 7, and this winter we will restore Spa 2 ( hole 6 will hopefully be done next winter).
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That original bunkering on 6 looks amazing.
Jud,
You are very right, Simpson was the master of the fortress bunkered short par 3 hole, think:
Hardelot holes 5 and 7
Royal Spa holes 2 and 6
Unfortunately a lot of them had lost their visual "teeth". However Patrice and I have restored Hardelot 5 and 7, and this winter we will restore Spa 2 ( hole 6 will hopefully be done next winter).
I've commented before, Hardelot is fantastic.
Frank, when I was there, 5 and 7 were the pictures I put of facebook to show the members at home how cool the place was.
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Frank
I assume the fronting bunker on 6 will hide the (very small) landing area short of the green? The 6th is a hole I greatly admire...quite deceptive and deadly. It is obviously completely man-made, but what is very cool is the safe shot is to play to the back of the green where it is flatter and hope to 2 putt. Any shot played to the first half of the green stands a good chance of bouncing right into the bunkers. That is of course if the greens are in decent shape. Are there plans to firm up the greens? In truth, the green is quite small for the strategies involved...especially off the left tee.
9 is a great pity because its obvious there is meant to be a play in from the left. I spose they are inviting drainage problems if left of the green was a more pronounced slope. The entire hole gets fairly wet fairly easily. Any thoughts to raising the green a few feet above the water?
I think my favourite bit of work was the clearing behind 13 green. Bringing that swale fully into play with some decent grass growing was a stroke of genius.
The club should make enquiries with Little Aston to see how they keep their course pretty firm despite being a parkland.
Ciao
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Sean,
plan is to make the course firm and fast, and I'm sure Rhys (course manager) will get it there. He and I both know Neil Baker of LA very well and are on the same page when it comes to trying to get the course to be fast and firm. One difference between LA and Blackwell is that Blackwell is virtually all on clayish soil, compared to sand at LA, which makes the job of making Blackwell firm a bit harder than at LA, but not impossible (look at Walton Heath which is clay).
on hole 9 nothing will happen in the near future, but maybe in the longer term the club will spend the money to fill part of the pond back in. Raising the green will not happen, that would be even more expensive than filling in part of the pond, plus I am not in favor of further mocking about with original Simpson greens if I can avoid it... in that case I would rather lower the water in the pond, which should be easy since it is higher that fairway 8....
Glad you like the clearing and short grass behind 13. Much more of that type of changes to be coming in the next years.
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That original bunkering on 6 looks amazing.
Jud
We tend to bang heads on most things but with regards to those photos I totally agree, those original bunkers look fantastic. Looks very much like chunks have been taken out of the ground to form them. The newer redone ones look a bit more anemic but given the restrictions with materials as outlined by Frank its understandable. I certainly prefer sand faced to grass faced bunkers that's for sure.
Niall
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Frank
How is work at Blackwell going?
Ciao
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Sean,
the winter has been so wet that most of the work has focused on (significant) tree removal, which you will like.
However plan is to start working on the (famous) green bunkers on hole 10 in the next few weeks, which should be fun....
FP
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Thanks Frank...now for three big questions.
1. The trees on #3...major clear out near the tee, down the left and the few down the right?
2. Centre bunker on #5...has it been smartened up?
3. Trees on 13...entire hole...major clear out?
Ciao
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Which trees on 13 are you thinking about Sean?
I would've thought 14 would benefit from a clear out instead of 13?
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Thanks Frank...now for threee big questions.
1. The trees on #3...major clear out near the tee, down the left and the few down the right?
Mostly done.....
2. Centre bunker on #5...has it been smartened up?
The one on 4 is in the plan, we did not get to it because of the wet winter. The one on 5 iin the past was much more to the left, ie wasn't a centre line bunker, which is where I would like to restore it if the club lets me.
3. Trees on 13...entire hole...major clear out?
I assume you mean the right side of hole 12, that has been cleared significantly this winter, but I haven't seen it yet
Ciao
[size=78%] [/size]
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Which trees on 13 are you thinking about Sean?
I would've thought 14 would benefit from a clear out instead of 13?
Speed
Yes, I was thinking the right side of 14 to make that lovely tree near the ditch a bit more of feature and offer a bailout. Right now it seems like a lovely green complex is a bit wasted by the tee shot.
Frank
Good to hear trees down #12 have been ripped out...should make the snake bunker really stand out. Do you know when that bunker was converted from a ditch?
Any before/after pix?
Ciao
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Well, the club is about 3-4 years into its 10 year plan to renovate the course and it has made some significant headway. There is a long way to go if the tree issues are going to be fully addressed, but so far so good! See the updated tour.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35050.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,35050.0.html)
Ciao
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Blackwell is classy, both course wise and maybe even more so 'yee olde' clubhouse wise, but the course had fallen back somewhat. The renovation work looks to be progressing well however, and the remainder of the bunker work, the difference between old and new can be seen in the photos above, is apparently due to be completed over the winter period.
An excessive amount of trees are still present, although a large pile of thick cut tree trunks was visible left of the 8th hole. Hopefully quite a lot more trees will come out - there's one to the right of the delightful par-3 12th that while a fine specimen of a tree doesn't half bugger up the tee shot from the white tees to a right hand pin.
Damn good course Blackwell, one definitely worth playing, even more so as the renovation work progresses.
Atb
The 18th as was -
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkUxnotilo_yE_-S_AZEunYdau9zw7Qm_CtBZyfFZcXE8vC2NiWw)
And as is -
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4439/36690264254_cd19989176_b.jpg)