Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Sean_A on June 20, 2017, 08:21:02 AM
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It wasn't all that long ago this quaint method of arriving at The Island was discontinued. (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/35384743306_c373c1e798_b.jpg) (https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4272/35384743306_c373c1e798_b.jpg)
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Both photos taken from Great Courses of Ireland by J Redmond...a highly recommended book.
I wouldn’t think it is often one can place hand on heart and claim gratitude for the “Syndicate”. Yet The Island’s Syndicate of 10 bachelors who founded The Island GC in 1890 must surely be a firm exception. Rather unusual for 19th century Ireland, the founding members were not affiliated with the military, but many were members of Royal Dublin. Alas, the club did not permit golf on the Lord’s Day; consequently the Syndicate explored a small peninsula in Broadmeadow Estuary and found the sand hills perfect for golf. How the course became known as Island GC is likely due to the isolation of the property. There wasn’t a road from Malahide so members and guests used to cross the water in a row boat. The house used to be located near the current 14th tee where nearby dock moorings can still be seen. Rather cleverly, some of the ferrymen doubled as green keepers! The service terminated in 1973 when the course was re-designed by F Hawtree and E Hackett; though the process took about 20 years.
Little is known concerning the original design or the changes that seemingly always occur in the early history of golf courses. Darwin knew of the course and wrote in his Golf Courses of The British Isles that The Island “...may legitimately be called sporting in the best sense of the word.” The Syndicate turned the course over to the annual ticket holders shortly after WWII, by which time the entire project was on its last legs. It was a brave decision of the members to breathe life back into the club in the early 1970s and all golfers owe a debt of gratitude for their perseverance. I believe seven new holes were built with the idea of eliminating blindness and supporting the new clubhouse location which was reached by road. In the early to mid-2000s additional work was carried out by M Hawtree and J Howes. The three-shot 10th was the major focus of the work, though additional greens were altered. I don’t know the detail, but it seems to me the infamous 14th had its green altered as it looks more scalloped than previously. Given the spread of time for the modernization of The Island, the course architecturally hangs together remarkably well.
Not surprisingly, because of the new house, the 1st is one of the "new" holes. This hole offers a good representation of what is to come in terms of terrain and type of hole for The Island opens with eight straight two-shotters.
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Two and three well and truly set the golfer on The Island journey. Playing around a dune, the second is a beauty.
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Three plays parallel to the beach and comes back on the 2nd. Once again, an excellent greensite taking great advantage of the terrain.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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Sean, so very glad you are giving us a tour of The Island Club. We only played it once, both my wife and I found it a great course and wonderful setting. Look forward to the rest of the tour.
Ira
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As my member playing-partner pointed out to me last fall, the first four holes run in four different compass directions relative to each other...really neat stuff. I don't buy the need for the new par three (it wasn't in play the day I played) to break up the opening lineup of par fours, but it gives them flexibility I suppose.
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The Island Tour Cont.
The 4th is a bruiser hole turning left then to a plateau green. I don't have any memory of this hole so I reckon at least the green must be new.
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Another one of the best holes on the course...an up n' oer short par 4,the fifth covers rambunctious terrain.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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Very fond memories of a very blustery day
difficult shedding greens in many places
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That's nice :)
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My non-golfer brother-in-law was lobbying for me to come over to Ireland, asap. What am I waiting for !!
Sean - Thanks as always for your tours.
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Sean, thanks for this tour. Looking forward to returning to NI/Ireland in August and , especially to, The Island GC. This tour is whetting my appetite. Thanks again.
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As my member playing-partner pointed out to me last fall, the first four holes run in four different compass directions relative to each other...really neat stuff. I don't buy the need for the new par three (it wasn't in play the day I played) to break up the opening lineup of par fours, but it gives them flexibility I suppose.
Brad where is the new par 3?
I suppose it all depends on how good it is. I did notice 8 straight par 4's but such was the interest it wasn't a problem.
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As my member playing-partner pointed out to me last fall, the first four holes run in four different compass directions relative to each other...really neat stuff. I don't buy the need for the new par three (it wasn't in play the day I played) to break up the opening lineup of par fours, but it gives them flexibility I suppose.
Brad where is the new par 3?
I suppose it all depends on how good it is. I did notice 8 straight par 4's but such was the interest it wasn't a problem.
It runs from left of the 3rd green in an almost parallel direction towards a green site close to the coast. The first 150 yards of the next hole was then changed to allow this three in to the routing. Idea was to combine the current 8th and 9th and move the entrance road although I believe that idea has shifted so I'm not sure what the plans are now.
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Enjoying the tour so far. Somewhere I very much wish to play so thanks for the insights.
Atb
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Very fond memories of playing this course in a blistering wind. If the course wouldn't have been so great, it was the kind of weather to go home after 9.
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Ally
I rather like the idea of a combined 8 & 9 because neither hole is terribly satisfactory.
THE ISLAND TOUR CONT
The 6th is in the middle of a run of back and forth holes; a shortish par 4 which moves a bit left between bunkers. As is the case with many greens, it is raised.
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The demanding 7th not only tests with length, but also great terrain.
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The hogsback effect leaves little room for error.
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Turning back yet again, we now head for the house. This is an odd hole whose fairway ends about 200 yards out. The hole plays as awkward as it looks.
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Finishing the front nine loop, the short 9th didn't do much for me. While a much better hole than previously, the 10th strikes me as a very contrived and out of character hole. The 11th too is a bit lackluster except for the green. One will likely notice that a great many greens are not overly receptive and will shed slightly off line approaches.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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THE ISLAND TOUR CONT
We now head back into a rich vein of holes starting with 12. A very difficult and long two-shotter turning left. Like many Island greens, this one is raised on a plateau. Any approach short will likely roll back a good 30 yards, leaving a coarse pitch.
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Looking back to the tee.
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We are now faced with two epic holes. The 13th, a tragically long and difficult par 3 on the estuary and 14, a snake thin par 4 also on the estuary. The two holes make a perfect pairing not unlike the now extinct 5 & 6 at Portrush's Valley Links. In fact, The Island couplet comes in at 564 total yards while the Valley's was 573. Most golfers would be very pleased to whack a snowman on the card for the two holes. On the day, driver wasn't enough for the 13th....at least 30 yards short of the hole.
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On the day, the 14th fairway felt too narrow for a 7 wood.
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I am sure the green was once more rudimentary than now.
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More to follow.
Ciao
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Tough course on a windy day.
And, if anyone buys a "yardage" chart, be careful as the unit of measure is metres - I didn't realise and it's very much the exception. Probably explains why I found it so tough!
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I'm not a big fan of 12, much preferring the more classic feel of a simpler hole such as 11.
14 greensite was indeed reworked, Sean.
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The more I see of The Island, the more I like.
Blue, red and yellow flags for different pin positions. Different colours are becoming more the norm. Whilst red and yellow are okay, blue's not that easy to see.
atb
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Ally
I am surprised by your distaste for 12. Its a fine hole with great land shy of the green. I like the do or don't die aspect of coming up short. To me its a far more compelling hole than 11, though I do like that green.
ATB
There is a ton to like at The Island. It really is one of the best courses in Ireland...terribly under-rated imo.
THE ISLAND TOUR CONT
Much loved, the three-shot 15th is a fine long hole. The fairway bunkers have been worked on to look a bit more like Co Down rather than the rather tired saucer revetted bunkers we often see on links.
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The hole is very reachable when downwind and there isn't much trouble for the wayward shot.
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A wonderful par 3 follows. It may not look it, but I am sure this green was radically altered or is on a new site. The shot remains very difficult, but doable. Previously, the tee shot was playing to camel's back green. The look of the hole is somewhat spoiled by completely unnecessary forward bunkering.
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We all have our spots where we really want to come across one of the better holes on the course. For me that spot is the 17th because I generally prefer 18 to be comfortable hole to cruise into the house. The Island's penultimate hole does the job admirably. Wedged between a large dune on the left and bunkering right, it is the contours which sing the loudest.
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The final hole is not my kind of finisher, but it is good in a rather difficult sort of way as a ball-buster 460ish yard two-shotter which does hark back to a few previous holes. Well, that is The Island, a very demanding test of golf, but not without its mischievous and eccentric moments. While we all have our preferences, I don't think any of the holes are duds. With several holes such as 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 16 & 17 rolling over awesome terrain there is no doubting The Island's greatness. The much maligned Hawtree work is far less intrusive than I was led to believe, in fact I rather like most of it! Go see The Island for yourself, it is probably the most under-rated of the great Irish links. 1* 2017
Other Courses on the Short Dublin North Tour
Corballis Links
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,64673.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,64673.0.html)
Laytown & Bettystown
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,64681.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,64681.0.html)
Baltray
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,64710.0.html (http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,64710.0.html)
Ciao
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Sean, thanks again for taking the time to put this together for us.
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Sean, thanks again for the terrific tour. Compared to the Irish courses that are on Americans' bucket lists (mine included), I have only Lahinch above The Island Club and that is no knock on Ballybunion or Waterville which both are great. We played The Island because Portmarnock was booked so cannot speak to it relative to The Island Club, but for those who are planning a trip, suggest forgetting the long haul to Old Head and going to The Island Club instead.
Ira
PS I agree on your assessment of the holes except as Ally notes, I found the 11th to be quite interesting.
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Sean,
I find the 12th tastes much more modern in flavour, with a long approach to a very exacting and tight, raised green that is pushed right in to the pocket of a created dune. On top of that, the ground before is actually low lying and lacking in interest. Just not a fan.
On the other hand, the 11th green is beautifully sited with the framing, rear dune a good 50 yards behind. The hole has the most sublime contours from the dogleg in, with a cheeky reverse cambered turn and a speed slot for taking the inside. I like it.
Other than that, I agree with the holes you singled out with the exception of 14 which I would replace with the wonderful 15th.
16th was a new Hawtree green in a different location to the old upturned saucer.
Excellent course. I'd have it just sneaking in to my top-10 Ireland. But only by the skin of its teeth.
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Ally,
A wonderful explication of the merits of the 11th hole--I certainly do not have the knowledge or vocabulary to have captured it (nor did I find the speed slot). As to the 14th, it has an illogically narrow fairway that would not warrant replication, but I found it an enjoyable challenge in a way similar to the Dell hole at Lahinch which is one of my all time favorite holes. The 14th at The Island does not rise to that level especially given that it is of more recent vintage, but I agree with Sean that it is one of the special holes at The Island. And it seems to fit in so well and distinctively with the stretch of 13 through 16--bookend wonderful Par 3s and, as you note, a terrific Par 5.
Ira
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I do like the 14th, Ira, if only because it's such an individual hole. I just wouldn't nominate it as one of my favourites.
Perhaps I am being a little hard on the 12th too.
17th is an unsung hero. Cracking hole. Pretty tight though, like quite a few holes there.
Sean - how was the first 10-15 yards of rough being maintained?
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Sean. Thanks so much for your great photo tour! I will be playing there, for the first time, in 5 weeks. You have really whetted my appetite.
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I do like the 14th, Ira, if only because it's such an individual hole. I just wouldn't nominate it as one of my favourites.
Perhaps I am being a little hard on the 12th too.
17th is an unsung hero. Cracking hole. Pretty tight though, like quite a few holes there.
Sean - how was the first 10-15 yards of rough being maintained?
Ally
By nature, some of the course is too tight and the rough on these holes is harsh. I spose that is why on the flatter holes I would rather see some expansiveness and it was a good chance at #11 to do this.
The Island is great, but very difficult. I obviously preferred the holes playing over bumpy terrain to the ones playing between dunes. That said, I think the combo of the two styles in such abundance is quite unusual.
Ciao
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Although I can't presently recall where I heard it, I believe at The Island it's playing off mats in the winter period. Anyone know if this is correct?
The County Louth/Baltray website says mats are used in winter. Anyone happen to know if it's winter mats at Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, The European etc?
Atb
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As usual, nice to get your views on The Island. It looks incredibly narrow in part. I remember playing there as a boy in the 1960s but I don't remember the course. It seems to have been considerably rebuilt over the years. Where did the money come from? In those days you could even play Royal Dublin and Portmarnock for a few pounds (as you could almost any course in the UK) and these seemingly less prestigious venues were just peanuts.
Sean, do you fancy meeting me one day at Holywell on the north Wales coast? There are a few very ordinary holes, but I think you would enjoy it - sheep roaming the course.
You'd also be welcome again at Prestbury. It's much improved in upkeep - they have a new ace greenkeeper. I am sure they would guest you - they are very hospitable. It's in stunning condition.
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I enjoyed playing the Island when I was in Ireland but "narrow" is not the word for one of the holes I think was on the back. It's about as wide as a bowling alley. It was claustrophobic.
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Although I can't presently recall where I heard it, I believe at The Island it's playing off mats in the winter period. Anyone know if this is correct?
The County Louth/Baltray website says mats are used in winter. Anyone happen to know if it's winter mats at Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, The European etc?
Atb
Thomas,
I played Royal Dublin many years ago (1991 maybe) and at that time, we were asked to pick up off the fairway and drop in the semi-rough. Can't remember what we did closer to the greens.
Regarding Royal Dublin, why do so many give this course a miss when in the area. Granted, there are no big dunes, but it's a good solid course with lots of undulations. Some people complain about the setting and the Poolbeg towers being an eyesore. Perhaps it's a bit pricey?
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I don''t know why I don't have a strong memory of The Island as being notably narrow, since I tend to spray the ball. Yet, it was my 17th and last round within 21 days on my recent fall trip to Ireland. I did play a few courses that arguably had better layouts/routings, well placed and designed green sites, and bunker placements. But, perhaps it was the sense of place - last Ireland round, played fairly well, and the views at sunset that cause me to say that while a bit more pricey than some, they were Euros well spent. The exceptional sunset view back across the Estuary to Malahide, and the sight of the steeple of St. Syl's (where I stayed immediately next door) some nice folk I was placed with including a New Jersey couple who the wife could really play, all added up to a rather magical round. No, it isn't up to the Portmarnock standard I was lucky enough to experience the year before. But, it has all the authentic coastal dunes, nicely presented and maintained course that you would be happy you paid up to play. My best shot of the day was a 4 metal 17 degree, to the demanding and long par 3, 13th that I made par. Perhaps that elevated my fondness for the course... ::) ;D But not really, it is a lovely coastal dunes course without that subjective influence. And, the clubhouse staff was wonderful in every way. Cathy, a guest hospitality official literally took full control and responsibility to get my clubs shipped with "Luggage Forward" back to my home, filing out and affixing all paperwork and scheduling the prompt pickup of the courier so I could go on worry free with the rest of my trip, Dublin sightseeing and on to Italy.
BTW, Malahide is a no-brainer for a place to stay while visiting Dublin, IMO. Castle is a must see, and good pub/restaurants in the village. I stayed there two years in a row, with DART station an easy ride into the city. No need to drive/park car around Dublin. Only downer is DART stops running way too early in the evening, like around 11pm.
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Thank you for the tours. Heading to Baltray and the Island this September. Played Baltray in a sideways rain in 2005 while wearing glasses so look forward to seeing the course for the first time this time.
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Reflecting two weeks later. Just found another favourite course. I agreed its quite a challenge but I got round with one ball and in fact scored there best of these 4 courses, and the wind was the most challenging we found.
I like the way it seems to start almost as a typical high Dune west of Ireland course but gradually the terrain calms down and a different feel emerges. It’s, it’s own place as they say.
I realised it was all 4’s to the 9th, but like Deal as long as the shot is interesting, you soon forget that stuff. Quality golf throughout and a must see in Ireland. Taken me 15 years to get there, hope it’s not that long to get back.
Agree with Ally, top 10 Ireland.
Thanks again for the happy memory.
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Mark
I would like to see Prestbury again sometime. I have also heard things about Holywell.
Donal
I must admit a lack of will power to see Royal Dublin because I have never heard stellar things about the course, well not enough praise to justify the rather large green fee.
Rob
Yes, 14 is narrow! Yet, for some reason I like the hole...probably because it is so outrageous.
Spangles
The Island is a very comfortable lock top 10 in Ireland and I would personally go as far as top 5. As you say, it is its own place. I don't know of a course quite like it. The mix of excellent terrain and between the dunes holes is stellar. The course is lacking nothing, but The Island is difficult. I am not sure it is a course I would want to tackle on a weekly basis.
Ciao
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I really like Royal Dublin. It isn't dramatic, but it is a very solid, entertaining course, beautifully presented with (when I was there four years ago) the best links rough I had ever seen -- tall and waving so it has strong landscape value but open enough that you can find your ball and get a club on it. I talked to the club about their rough management when I visited -- and carried an article on it -- and the message was that, when they had done a big reno some years earlier with Hawtree, a lot of material had been brought to site that was not ideal (too fertile) and this resulted in a thick, meadowy jungle off the fairways, so they had invested in scarifying equipment and worked hard over several years to thin it out.
The club is also extremely friendly and welcoming, although obviously (sadly) you will no longer bump into Himself, Christy O'Connor Sr, while there. Still, you can reflect in awe on his eagle-birdie-eagle finish to win a tournament there in the sixties.
I love the sixteenth hole, a classic short par four, and though I know it is polarising, I personally also really like the eighteenth. It's forced for sure, but it is incredibly strategic and for me that is enough (in this case!)
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Royal Dublin has a lot going for it. 16 and 17 are two cracking holes and 18 has to be applauded as something completely different.
As for The Island, it scrapes top-10 as I said earlier but top-5 it definitely isn't. The very fact that you say you'd struggle to play it every week should immediately disqualify it from that status (although you'd likely say the same about dead certs such as Portrush)
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Ally
Thats right, Lahinch is the only top Irish links I think would keep me happy 52 weeks a year. I find the combo of more playability and funk the clear sweepstakes winner. That said, The Island would be far more managable if I were an injury free 10 capper. Still, it would be trial just as Dunluce and Co Down would be week in and week out.
Ciao
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Update on The Island:
M&E have been doing considerable work with DAR Golf and Dave Edmondson over the winter months.
Although I don't know the intricate details of the plan, it involves bringing the new par-3 fourth hole in to the routing (between current 3 and 4), reworking the entire approach to the old 4th (new 5th), rerouting the old 7th hole (new 8th) to a green site further right and then combining the old 8th and old 9th in to a new 9th.
Really looking forward to seeing the work. A couple of concerns that they may have lost some individual character (e.g. the land where the old 7th green was had a beautiful roll and approach - a thinking second shot) but I'll wait until I get there to pass further comment. From the photos, the green site at the new 5th has been greatly improved.
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That's very spooky. In an idle moment at work this morning I was checking out the courses round Dublin on google maps and the Island was one of the courses I looked at. There certainly seems to be some cracking courses near by and I wonder if Dublin might rank with say Liverpool as a city/links golf destination ?
Niall
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That's very spooky. In an idle moment at work this morning I was checking out the courses round Dublin on google maps and the Island was one of the courses I looked at. There certainly seems to be some cracking courses near by and I wonder if Dublin might rank with say Liverpool as a city/links golf destination ?
Niall
Niall,
Come over and see us - would be very happy to look after a four-ball of GCA fans for a few days.
Portmarnock, The Island, Baltray and Royal Dublin makes for a cracking trip to North County Dublin. I think a trip to The European is also a must, despite it being 75 minutes around the other side of the city.
Then you can throw in Corballis, Laytown & Bettystown and Sutton for a few quick rounds.
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Update on The Island:
M&E have been doing considerable work with DAR Golf and Dave Edmondson over the winter months.
Although I don't know the intricate details of the plan, it involves bringing the new par-3 fourth hole in to the routing (between current 3 and 4), reworking the entire approach to the old 4th (new 5th), rerouting the old 7th hole (new 8th) to a green site further right and then combining the old 8th and old 9th in to a new 9th.
Really looking forward to seeing the work. A couple of concerns that they may have lost some individual character (e.g. the land where the old 7th green was had a beautiful roll and approach - a thinking second shot) but I'll wait until I get there to pass further comment. From the photos, the green site at the new 5th has been greatly improved.
sa it ain't so.....
no money in doing less I guess.
Amazed they didn't rework 14.....:(
Where are you seeing pictures?
How do you get from 3 green to new 4, then back to (new) 5 tee
and why?
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Some pics on twitter. Reserving comment.
https://twitter.com/DARGolf_/status/1230940094200188928
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Jeff,
The new 4th was actually built about 10 years ago by Hawtree. It’s a par-3 teeing from left of the previous green back towards and along the main dune ridge. The next hole then has a new first 200m of fairway before joining the old hole at the turning point. Now slight dogleg right instead of dogleg left.
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That's very spooky. In an idle moment at work this morning I was checking out the courses round Dublin on google maps and the Island was one of the courses I looked at. There certainly seems to be some cracking courses near by and I wonder if Dublin might rank with say Liverpool as a city/links golf destination ?
Niall
Niall,
Come over and see us - would be very happy to look after a four-ball of GCA fans for a few days.
Portmarnock, The Island, Baltray and Royal Dublin makes for a cracking trip to North County Dublin. I think a trip to The European is also a must, despite it being 75 minutes around the other side of the city.
Then you can throw in Corballis, Laytown & Bettystown and Sutton for a few quick rounds.
I’d be up for such a trip (if you’d have me!). :)
Atb
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Jeff,
The new 4th was actually built about 10 years ago by Hawtree. It’s a par-3 teeing from left of the previous green back towards and along the main dune ridge. The next hole then has a new first 200m of fairway before joining the old hole at the turning point. Now slight dogleg right instead of dogleg left.
Thanks
Ally
7 and 8 were pretty cool greensites.
9 no loss but that's a tight awkward area up there for a par 3 green. let alone what I think is a par 5
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Count me as another interested in Niall organising that 4 ball....
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Great stuff,
Throw out a couple of dates for later in the summer and I’ll try and sort a good value agenda. See if it works for you...
Maybe IM email address and I’ll start something...
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I'd like another look at The Island as my only visit was during a summer of extra green and lush rough. Has has been mentioned, the playing corridors are not "wide," and the rough was so difficult that missing a fairway by a foot was most likely a lost ball. It was one of the most brutal experiences I have had on a links course. Needless to say I came away feeling beaten like a red-headed stepchild and, as a result, the course has probably been under appreciated by me.
Maybe I can sneak off with a few of the lads for a look this summer.
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Count me as another interested in Niall organising that 4 ball....
I'm sure I read somewhere that the trick to good management is delegation. Check your email.
Niall
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Please tell me that they did not mess with the 5th hole which is one of my favorites. We are making a return visit in June, and I will be disappointed if I do not get to experience that hole again.
Ira
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Please tell me that they did not mess with the 5th hole which is one of my favorites. We are making a return visit in June, and I will be disappointed if I do not get to experience that hole again.
Ira
Don’t believe there is any messing with the 5th (new 6th).
At least, I hope not.
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It's tough to lose the 7th green. Does the change have something to with the combined 8/9?
Ciao
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It's tough to lose the 7th green. Does the change have something to with the combined 8/9?
Ciao
I believe so.
When this plan was first mooted by Hawtree about 12 years ago, I assumed 7 green would remain (excellent hole) and that the access road was going around the far side of the practice area, allowing 8 and 9 to be somewhat combined from the current 8th tee site.
Maybe that was never the plan. Maybe - because it would have still left an up and over tee shot - it was deemed too quirky or maybe the road access wasn’t feasible. Or maybe M&E have just changed that plan to their own liking.
Either way, my main concern is that individual features will have been removed for more of that championship feel. Maybe that’s a trade-off worth making with this course. Can’t wait to see it either way.
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The more I ponder the changes, the more I wonder about the motivations. Yes, it is unusual to have 8 Par Fours in a row on the Front Nine. Yes, Number 9 is the weakest hole on the course. But what a wonderful, special place. And the opening Eight holes are one of the reasons. If the membership is in favor, it certainly is none of my business given that I probably will have the pleasure of playing only twice. But we appreciated the course so much that we built a second trip to Dublin in order to play it again.
Ira
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It's tough to lose the 7th green. Does the change have something to with the combined 8/9?
Ciao
I believe so.
When this plan was first mooted by Hawtree about 12 years ago, I assumed 7 green would remain (excellent hole) and that the access road was going around the far side of the practice area, allowing 8 and 9 to be somewhat combined from the current 8th tee site.
Maybe that was never the plan. Maybe - because it would have still left an up and over tee shot - it was deemed too quirky or maybe the road access wasn’t feasible. Or maybe M&E have just changed that plan to their own liking.
Either way, my main concern is that individual features will have been removed for more of that championship feel. Maybe that’s a trade-off worth making with this course. Can’t wait to see it either way.
I guess my take is that it is often dubious to make changes for championship convenience/pro preferences. Altering a non-championship course to obtain a championship feel is extremely dubious. The rush toward design and presentation conformity which it seems the ruling bodies and pro tours want from host courses is an alarming trend. If this trend continues, at the very least many more archies should be thrown into mix. Relying on a few archies is not enough to ensure the integrity of design diversity. Unfortunately, most clubs don't think this way.
Ciao
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The Island is installing the Ecobunker solution in its bunkers, but they are not going fully synthetic -- the bottom half dozen layers of the wall will be Ecobunker, which will establish a firm footing and ensure that the bunker wall doesn't move, even though those six layers will not be visible to golfers as they'll be covered by sand. From there up they will be natural -- but rebuilding the bunkers will be much easier as the base of the wall will stay in place.
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I guess my take is that it is often dubious to make changes for championship convenience/pro preferences. Altering a non-championship course to obtain a championship feel is extremely dubious.
The road to mediocrity is paved with good intentions.