23 insight into greens mix performance and composition. “Our intent is to restore the original sizes and shapes of greens while making targeted expansion and contour modifications to introduce new pin locations,” said Johnson. “We will retain the existing character of greens and use that as a guide when redesigning any that will increase pin locations, setup variety and playability. Greens that currently have limited pinnable areas due to severe slopes and pitches will be recontoured to make more playable with increased setup options.” Proposed work on bunkers aims to enhance the character, aesthetics and strategic interest of the hazards, as well as address drainage issues, sand contamination, eroding slopes, faces and edges, and their locations. “We will also address problematic drainage areas on fairways,” said Johnson. “While we are still contemplating the variety, we will regrass all fairways to establish a consistent stand of healthy and high performing turfgrass.” Other work includes realigning and expanding existing tees, adding new forward and back tees, removing some cart paths and rerouting others to hide them from sight better. “Also, we will help blend the existing natural and native surrounding slopes and valley floor along the creek into the overall golf course character and aesthetic,” said Johnson. “And convert existing maintained turf areas into native turf and vegetative areas that are in character with the natural surrounding landscape.” Photo: Brandon Johnson Golf Course Design “It may be quirky and one of the toughest holes in golf” For the cover story of the latest issue of By Design magazine – produced for the American Society of Golf Course Architects by the team responsible for GCA – Kevin Norby, Richard Mandell, Nathan Crace and Forrest Richardson take on the challenge of redesigning the Road hole at St Andrews. “Calls from golfers to ‘fix’ the Road hole are misguided,” said Norby. “It may be quirky and one of the toughest holes in golf, but a complete blow-up would only serve to soften the course at a time when some might argue that the Old is no longer the best tournament course to test the best golfers in the world.” GOOD READ To download the latest issue and subscribe to By Design, visit www.asgca.org.
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