75 removed and reshaping work has been done to address steep slopes, allowing course superintendent Bryce Gibson and his team to more easily mow grass near the water’s edge. This work also gives golfers more recovery options, Marzolf points out, highlighting the par-four fifteenth, where steep slopes roll the ball into the water, which made the design quite penal. Another hole that exemplifies how Fazio Design has reevaluated Interlachen’s relationship with its lakes is the par-five eighteenth. One of the objectives of the redesign was to make the course more playable and enjoyable for members and the closing hole features a large lake to the left of the landing area and another body of water to cross before the approach area of the hole, making it a particularly tough finish. A new forward tee allows shorter hitters to progress further from the tee, while the landing area has been reshaped wider to keep more balls in play. The hole can still be lengthened for better players, from a new back tee, and the green has been moved forward slightly too. It now blends into the new practice putting green, providing the club with an impressive feature, alongside the clubhouse patio, that it can use for putting competitions. The ninth, which is also in view from the clubhouse patio, is entirely new. Previously a par-four, it is now a short par-three over water to an angled green, where moving the pin back brings more trouble – in the form of water and bunkering – into play. The eighth, which was a 220yard par three, has been extended to a par four that added a muchneeded dogleg left on the front nine. “This has been one of the biggest improvements,” says Marzolf. “It’s a strong hole where you have to hit a long way to get to the corner, before it turns left towards the welldefended green.” Bunkers have been repositioned throughout the course, with bold INTERLACHEN CC “ In tropical Florida, so much of the work we do relates to drainage improvements” The renovated fourth hole Photo: Interlachen Country Club
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