Golf Course Architecture - Issue 66, October 2021

29 At the second hole, Chambers has renovated bunkering and the green to allow for more running shots green. Once the grow-in was complete, a programme was developed to upgrade the existing 18 holes with this same consistent formula. Since then, one phase of work has been completed on the first, fourth, eighth, ninth, eleventh and sixteenth holes, and another phase on holes two and three. During work on the most recent two holes, I developed my own design company, Centreline Golf Design, and I was granted full operations as the golf course designer. The work we have just finished on the second and third holes has brought a unique part of the property to our hands. The second is a short par four with a blind, uphill tee shot that leads to a short, downhill approach. The existing green had a slope of three per cent and bunkering that protected the front of the green and didn’t allow for running shots, so we addressed that. The existing tee on the third was small and confined with small plantings, so we opened up the area, doubling the size of the tees and making a seamless transition from the second green to the new teeing area. It is a tough, uphill par three that can play into the northeast wind. If you missed the green you would end up rolling back down the hill. We lowered the green by 0.75 metres, which enabled us to create multiple ball-holding areas. There was a quirky berm around the back of the green, so I decided to incorporate it into the new green to create a semi-punchbowl that has incredible panoramic views over the Pacific Ocean. We continued the short grass transition into the new fourth tees. What will the changes bring to the golf experience? Golfers will notice more consistency in the greens with a pure bentgrass surface compared to a large percentage of poa. Some of the new greens are larger with more pinnable areas. But the big difference is the removal of the kikuyu surrounds. The new couch surrounds will play a lot firmer and faster, bringing the running game back into play which is what is required on days when the wind blows. Photo: Lee Sutherland