15 TEE BOX eighteenth that plays up the original corridor alongside the first hole. “There were a number of reasons behind the development of this concept, including the similarities between the second, thirteenth and seventeenth,” said Cocking. “There was also the lack of a truly great short par four; Lake Kadijah being repeatedly used across the line of play when golf’s most exciting water hazards are positioned diagonally; the potential to make a more dramatic finish; and most importantly, our aim to improve the architecture and variety of shots.” The course closed in October 2022 for tree removal and the demolition of old paths and irrigation. Construction began in April 2023 and by midOctober all shaping and grassing has been completed. One aspect of the project has been to reduce the elevation of some elements of the course. “The most recent version of the course had many tees, greens and bunkers elevated well above the natural ground,” said Cocking. “It created a somewhat artificial appearance, and, in some areas, the natural character of the land had been lost. “Course Three sits over some wonderfully undulating ground, and we felt it didn’t need this additional height to add drama, so one of the first things we’ve done on each hole is to remove the features and return the land to how it once looked. “Some bunkers – especially on the fairways – had been placed on flat ground which wasn’t necessarily suited to building great looking hazards. It seemed like these sites had been chosen because of the distance they measured from the tee rather than how the land moved. And to be visible, they had been built well up and out of the ground. In contrast, our bunkers have been built where they best suit the land – into natural rises – to create more visual interest. This also results in bunkers scattered at a range of distances to ensure a wide range of golfers will have to deal with a bunker at some point in their round.” The number of bunkers has been increased from around 70 to 100. They are generally placed close to the line of play, and at the greens the bunkers are much tighter to the putting surface. “ These changes make for a much more natural looking course with a scale that’s more in keeping with the broad and expansive nature of the site” Photo: Mike Cocking At holes five, six and seven (pictured), OCM has reintroduced a boundary fence, making out of bounds a strategic hazard
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=