39 One of six new lakes splits the opening holes of each nine, with the tenth on the left and the first on the right basins added and extensive subsurface drainage pipes added to firm up the play spaces. We also added a long tee and two short tees on each hole so that each has seven tees and the course can play at 500-yard intervals from 4,500 to 7,500 yards, making it the first Fazio design with a 3,000-yard spread. What work has been completed on the greens? The original routing remains the same, but greens have now been expanded and surrounds cut short to encourage a wide variety of short-game shots. Wooden bulkhead walls along lake edges now feature on holes four, eight, fifteen and eighteen. The aim was to enhance aesthetics, especially when the often-f luctuating water level drops. The first hole gives an immediate feel for the course’s green complexes with a deep, narrow, right to left angled green and an expansive, low-mow chipping area to the right. The firm, sandcapped approach will allow the ball to release onto the front hole locations. How have you approached work on the bunkers? Bunkers were rebuilt with a cleaned up, Augusta look. White sand is f lashed on bunker faces and surrounding turf has been shaved low – the largest of these low-mow areas being at the par-five twelfth. White sand was also added to out-of-play areas along and between holes, and around trees. The contrast between the sand, native plantings and pine straw aims to add drama and visual appeal to the layout. Bunkers, especially in first shot landing areas, have been relocated to account for advancements in club and ball technology since the course’s opening in 1996. Fairway bunkers are angled slightly closer to the centreline of play, and new fairway lines bring short grass in front of the hazards. Since the modern ball can f ly straighter today, the fairway bunkers have been moved in closer. To regain the attention of the game’s best players, the tee shot strategy now calls for reaction and alignment choices, based on the carry point of the bunker. This noticeable decision making off the tee will now be a feature of Cypress, keeping players focused on the variety of each hole. As the game evolves and equipment improves, the golf architecture must react and adjust. Photo: Evan Schiller
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