Golf Course Architecture: Issue 57 - July 2019

30 TEE BOX Why was this project necessary? The project came about as the old bunkers were just getting old and worn out. The edges appeared to have crept outward and outward over the years. The slope toward the putting surfaces had gotten quite steep in many cases, and the edges were right at the top of the slope. What was the extent of your work? I think all of us thought we would get a better look if the top edges were rolled from 18-24 inches down the slope. Also, over the years, the capes that at one time probably came down into the bunkers, were lost and we wanted to restore them. I was given a free hand by the club, but from our discussions I knew that they were not looking for a radical change. I sent them some conceptual sketches of the bunkers with a ‘lace edge’ or ‘dragon tooth’ effect but they did not appeal to anyone in a decision-making role. The project consisted of renovating and or rebuilding 13 fairway and 41 greenside bunkers. We filled in one fairway bunker. “Members will notice a total consistency from bunker to bunker” THE INTERV I EW with John LaFoy GCA spoke with John LaFoy about his bunker rebuilding work at James River Country Club in Virginia, which was completed this spring