Kristine Kerr continues Omaha Beach renovation Omaha Beach Golf Club near Auckland, New Zealand, has reopened its eighteenth hole, part of an ongoing renovation by Kristine Kerr. The club originally opened in 1975 with a nine-hole layout, and nine more holes were added in the 2000s. The original nine, now played as holes one to three and thirteen to eighteen, was built on the northern portion of the site, “a low-lying, sandy peninsula with virtually no elevation change,” said Kerr. “These holes suffered drainage issues in winter and periods of heavy rain, with a high water table.” The south nine was built with modern techniques and incorporated shaping from adjacent sand dunes. “Our work was to update the north nine to harmonise with the south,” said Kerr. This has involved bunker work on fourteen and a remodelling of fifteen, seventeen and eighteen. “The turfgrass bore the brunt of the poor drainage and age,” said Kerr. “All three were completely reshaped, elevated, include new bunkering and grass, better integrate with new wetlands and maximise the relationship and views of the adjacent harbour.” Photo: Kura Golf Course Design see the entire hole, now with stunning China clay sand and imposing bunkering,” he said. “There are two cross bunkers that longer hitters can reach, but for the shorter hitters, there are bunkers either side of the fairway that could catch slightly wayward shots. The hole also runs alongside First World War training trenches that have been recently excavated, and we have evidence that mock battles were held across the sixteenth fairway – a fabulous golf hole with a sobering history.” Work on Wandlebury has required a different approach. “We have been more cautious in how we maintain the edges, allowing the grasses to grow a bit longer than preferred so that the structure of the revet is maintained,” said McLean. “But the crisp wavy edges of the bunkers has helped to produce a more modern looking course.” The club has finished the tenth and eleventh holes on the Wandlebury this winter. “The tenth is a sweeping downhill par four with large, staggered bunkering on either side of the fairway,” said McLean. “Whereas the eleventh is a short dogleg left with bunkers on either side of the fairway and near the green, with a pot bunker located 30 yards out to catch any shots that may be running into the green or off the drive. As it is a short hole with substantial bunkering, it now requires the player to think their way through the hole.” 15
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