Ryder Cup course modifications
Work has begun on some exciting changes
to the layout of a number of holes on The PGA Centenary
Course, proposed by Jack Nicklaus.
Under the supervision of Scott Fenwick, Golf
Courses and Estate Manager, the team at Gleneagles have been
hard at work and some impressive changes have already taken place
in a short space of time. The main work to date has been to the 9th
and 10th holes, with work due to begin on the 18th hole.
The 9th hole
The significant changes to the 9th hole, a par 5,
have taken place towards the green and approach shot landing area.
The large fairway bunker that flanked the pond to the right of the
fairway has been dug out and this area will form a larger pond that
comes in to play for those who try to get to the hole in two.
For those that are thinking of laying up and
playing the hole in regulation by keeping the ball out to the left,
they will have to navigate two new bunkers to the right side of the
fairway, close to the pond, as well as a bunker on the left hand
side that will narrow the landing area.
A well struck and accurate second shot will be
required for longer hitters while precision will be the key for
those who choose to play the lay-up shot.
The 10th hole
The major change on the 10th hole is the position
of the tee boxes. On this long, downhill par 3 the championship tee
and white medal tees have been moved significantly to the left of
their current position.
This change will mean that the angle of approach
in to the green will change and the greenside bunker to the left
will come more in to play. This change to the teeing area will
allow a better flow of spectators between the ninth and tenth
holes. The banking behind the ninth green will also be lowered
allowing for better viewing areas.
The 18th hole
The closing hole will remain a par 5, with
much of the work being carried out from the landing area of the
fairway up to and including the green and surrounding area.
The championship tee will be moved slightly
forward and to the left of the current position and raised by
approximately two metres giving a better view of the fairway and
landing area. This first change will mean the new landing area will
be approximately 30-40m in front of the current one.
The tee shot should be aimed to the left hand
side of the fairway as a strategic bunker will be placed on the
right hand side within range of the tee shot. The bigger hitters
may choose to try and carry it.
From the landing area, approximately 289yards up,
the fairway will be levelled with some 35,000 tonnes of material
being moved. The majority of this work is to remove the rise in the
hole and flatten it out. The hole currently rises seven metres from
the landing area to the centre of the green. The fairway will now
only rise two metres from the landing area until you get to the
changes in elevation at the green.
