13 course, remarkably preserved beneath decades of superficial alterations, served as an archaeological site. With careful investigation, we uncovered many original features. “Throughout nearly a century of evolution, the course had experienced inevitable changes: overgrown vegetation, reduced fairways and greens, modified or abandoned bunkers, and new or altered tees.” The restoration began with an extensive vegetation management plan, which reopened playing corridors and allowed for the original scale of fairways and greens to be restored, reintroducing lost angles of play. Every green was also expanded, back to its intended dimensions. “Our research revealed that greens on one, five, six, nine, ten, thirteen, seventeen and eighteen had undergone changes over the years,” said Hillard. “Fortunately, since none of the putting surfaces had ever been completely rebuilt, we could look at the distinct soil layers within each green’s profile and identify the original material Raynor used to finish the surfaces in 1925. By carefully excavating the various layers, we traced this foundational layer across the entire green, enabling us to accurately restore the original contours. “Once we confirmed that the restored slopes and potential pin placements would accommodate modern green speeds, we employed 3D mapping technology to scan the greens. This allowed us to reconstruct each green profile and recreate Raynor’s original contours.” One of the biggest changes was on the third, an Alps hole with a Double Punchbowl green. “Several key features of this hole had been changed over time,” said Hillard. “The original green was no longer there. Restoring the Double Punchbowl became a pivotal and exhilarating aspect of our project. We discovered that the newer green had been built three to four feet above the original surface using imported material. Through careful excavation, we uncovered substantial remnants of the original green, along with the bunker situated on the right side. Supplementing these findings, archival photographs taken from multiple angles helped us piece together the original contours and green surrounds. “Raynor had incorporated a section of fairway feeding into the green from over the Alps mound. This fairway, functioning almost like a catcher’s mitt, offered golfers a creative avenue for approach shots and recovery. Over time, however, this fairway was abandoned and became engulfed by tall grasses and dense shrubs. With the fairway now restored the original strategy and design intent of the hole can be seen and the third is a fine example of the Alps-Punchbowl templates Raynor designed elsewhere, notably the fourth at Fishers Island.” On the sixth hole, two ‘inverted’ bunkers – where the sand lies on a mound, rather than in a depression – have been restored, and all bunkers have been lined with Better Billy Bunker. “Yale Golf Course stands as perhaps the boldest example of golf course architecture in the United States, a synergy of Raynor’s daring design and a remarkable landscape,” said Hillard. “Our team’s intent was to ensure that every decision was rooted in historical accuracy and respect for Raynor’s legacy. The result is a course that once again captures the genius of the original, offering players the unique experience Raynor envisioned nearly a century ago.” TEE BOX Photo: Evan Schiller Hanse’s work on the third included reinstating the second fairway area that funnels balls towards the putting surface, and recreating the Double Punchbowl green
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