Bearwood Lakes - 16th Changes

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PNWokingham

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in Late 2012, they significantly raised the tees and added 2 new fairway bunkers - with a plan to later change the approach to improve aesthetics, playability and give the bigger hitters a better chance of hitting the green of the longest par-5 on the course in 2. Any carry that hit the bank short of the green would stop - it was too steep to run up. They are now well underway with new changes - a big oak that was dying has been taken out on the left in the valley approach along with a few smaller trees and they are now putting in a ditch that will raise the level of the land in the run up to allow some roll if you land short, along with a new bunker and much tighter fringe sweeping from the right and all round the front. And the fairway will now run all the way to the green apart from the sleepered ditch.

These photos show the faiwary bunkers in 2012 and a view towards the green from around 300 yards out





This is late September last year showing nearer the green from towards the end of the fairway - you can see the big oak that is now gone

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2015-09-26/2015-09-26 13.45.08.jpg

Same date - looking back from behind the green



These are some new photos of work from last Thursday - quite advanced and 1200 sq metres of turf is coming next week - so should look nearly finished towards the end of next week but will probably be a couple of months before open. It looks a big improvement to probably my least favourite hole on the course

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2015-09-26/2015-09-26 13.52.38.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th-3.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th-2.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th-6.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th-4.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th-5.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th-8.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th-9.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr263/pnsarum/Bearwood Lakes/2016/2016-01-28-16th-7.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the update Paul.

I'm not sure about the logic of allowing/encouraging big-hitters to go for the green in 2! Though I can understand the desire to flatten that approach, that catches me more times than I care to remember. Not absolutely certain, but seem to remember that the new tee has increased the length to make the hole a 'genuine' 3-shotter, with laying up or flying the FW bunkers being the choice.

Removing the dying oak probably smartens the hole and makes the approach shot significantly easier. For me, what the hole needed, if anything, was a better challenge for the 2nd shot for layup-ers, which was pretty much a shot to nothing. A couple of bunkers to consider compared to a much easier approach for those who flew the first set and hit a good long distance 2nd would be sufficient reward. If they really wanted to encourage 2-shotters, but punish those that fail, then perhaps a better way would have been to leave the slope, but lengthen the green (or make the shot from over it less dangerous). It was a relatively small green for such a long shot (by 2-shotters) so they had to be long, accurate and well flighted - not actually a bad requirement imo!

Still, it's not my toy to play with! And I'm sure it'll be another good challenge when completed!
 
The problem was that there was little differentiation between a mediocre drive and a good one. The good one simply hit to lay up with a shorter club than the mediocre one. The risk-reward option was only available to very long drives. The idea of these changes is to restore the risk-reward element.

The other issue, in my opinion, with the hole is the drive. The bunkers are placed perpendicular to the line of play and I think they would be better parallel. That would pose more of a risk of going on, but a better chance of advancing the ball a decent distance. The tees could also do with being a bit higher again for a better view of the landing area.
 
Progress going well - a few more pictures on a rare nice day! I got a better sense of the scale of the step-up over the ditch and the size of the bunker today - big! They are starting turfing tomorrow! Pictures go from back left (new run-off) round the front and to back left beside the bunker



































 
Ethan said:
Looks great.

Paul, you may have to consider laying up and pitching up in 3 now ;-)
Click to expand...

Let me think....any chance of going for it or laying up... :confused: :one:

just looking forward to a game - not played for 2 months! I was dubious when i heard of a "ditch" in the valley - but now really like it as I could not quite envisage significantly raising the fairway all the way. It should not impact those wanting to play in 3 - which is 99% but gives you more fairway to position on - but an added danger on the left of green should make you think of where you want to leave your second a bit more
 
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