73 thought I could stay for about three weeks and then maybe come back at the end of the front nine to tweak things, which would be the more traditional approach, modified to Covid a little bit,” says Gorman. “It became apparent that just wasn’t going to work. We were finishing bunkers quickly and it was a very field-driven process. For me to leave and try to do this remotely wasn’t going to be efficient or meet our satisfaction.” Gorman took the decision to stay on site for the entire project. “It worked out perfectly,” he says. “From the club’s perspective they were able to work very efficiently with everybody on site, rather than having to do things remotely, by video, and waiting. Everything was immediate. I was able to see everything in person so we didn’t have to worry about interpreting things through a photograph.” With the architect on site full time, the design process became much more dynamic. And while this added complexity for MJ Abbott project manager Price, who had to adapt resource planning as decisions were taken in the field, the result is striking. The revitalised course delivers a bold strategy and breathtaking aesthetics. “We really worked hard to identify strategic bunker positions, based on their original placement but more in line with where shots were being hit with today’s technology,” explains Gorman. “Where we did shift bunkers, we tried to find existing landforms to build into, so they would be highly visible and make sense within the entire golf hole, so you’re thinking about these bunkers when you’re standing on the tee.” This wasn’t to be a major earthmoving exercise. “We had minimal limits of disturbance and quite a bit of rock underneath some areas of the site, so we couldn’t move much,” says Gorman. “It’s a beautiful piece of land and you really don’t want to move dirt. We’ve got this spectacular one-of-a-kind landscape that we wanted to respect and make the bunkers a part of.” The overall sand area has been reduced and there are now fewer bunkers, but they are more impactful, with every hazard playing a clear role in the strategy. The sand-f lashed faces, often very steep, are accentuated by fescue eyebrows, which at hole peripheries blend into the surrounding The short par-four second Photos: ©Patrick Jantet/Switzerland
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