8th Bunker Reconstruction

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What follows is a pictorial of the bunker work on the 8th hole.  The first bunkers we attacked were the fairway bunkers.  There had been complaints about the fairway bunkers here and the types of lies people were getting.  Like the bunkers in the 7th fairway, we chose a shape that would allow a fair recovery if you hit a good shot.  The shape coupled with the sand type has allowed most shots to release into the bottom of the bunkers rather than getting hung up on the face.

From the 8th tee in 2003...small, steep faced pot bunkers that usually resulted in a awkward lie.  They are not that visible and are out of scale with the surroundings.


Main irrigation line was moved to the left side of the bunkers, bunkers dug out, drained, and shaped.


Drainage in these bunkers was very important as seen below.  This bunker was not only a drainage issue before this rebuild, it caused issues in the fairway.


The result is a set of bunkers that fit into the landscape and come into play a little more.  Also notice the removal of the evergreens on the left side to expose some wonderful topography.



The 8th green is the best example of a Maiden Hole, a  Raynor standard, anywhere.  Over the past five years we expanded the greens back to their original intent which brings the bunkers more into play.  The valley in the middle of the green now moves overly aggressive shots into a restored back bunker, the left side bunker has been restored to its original size.

Bunker dug out behind the green.


Here it is shaped out and drained.


The finished green complex with new bunkers on all sides and green expanded.