Construction of 9 Fairway Bunkers

The master plan for the 9th hole consists of 3 phases. Phase 1 was completed early this spring which included the fairway expansion, bunker renovation and expansion along with all new irrigation. Phase 2 consists of adding three new fairway bunkers along the left side of the fairway behind the 3rd green and widening the fairway along the right side. Phase 3 is the construction of a large berm of varying height with two fairway bunkers replacing the area where the old silver maple was in the center of the fairway.

The Board of Governors upon recommendation from the Long Range Planning Committee has approved the construction of Phase 2 starting August 3rd. The process of this construction will be removing the two remaining white pines located behind the third green to allow for more sunlight on the 3rd green. The removal of these trees will remedy the thin turf issue on the rear of the 3rd green. Mounds will be constructed to protect players from being hit by golf balls from the 9th tee while playing the 3rd green. Three fairway bunkers will be placed 226 to 266 yards from the tee on the left of the fairway. The strategic value of these bunkers forces the lower handicap golfer to chose either driver challenging the bunker complex or 3-wood laying up of these bunkers. The 9th fairway will be widen opposite of the fairway bunkers allowing balls hit right to funnel back towards the fairway.

During the construction period which should last about 3 weeks the 9th hole will play as a Par3 during the week with tee markers placed about 110 yards from the green. Saturdays and Sundays the 9th hole will play to its regular length with all construction areas marked as Ground Under Repair. It is the goal of Board of Governors to have the renovated 9th hole open for play for the Labor Day Weekend and start of the club championships.

I urge any member with questions, comments, or concerns to contact me and I will be more than happy to explain the project in greater detail. I want to make the membership fully aware that Phase 3 is still in the discussion process with the Long Range Planning Committee and our architect Robert McNeil. The drawing above depicts two additional sand bunkers for Phase 3 although much discussion is being given to the idea of creating rolling mounds of rough similar to the 2nd hole instead of these additional sand bunkers. The project for this August is strictly Phase 2.