30 SKETCHBOOK The ninth hole at Golden Valley Country Club in Minnesota, where Kevin Norby, ASGCA, is conducting renovation work, is a par four with bunkers protecting the landing area and each side of green. Golden Valley was originally designed by Tom Bendelow in 1915 and was later redesigned by A. W. Tillinghast in 1926. Norby’s project in fall 2022 saw all bunkers renovated, with his work on the greenside bunkers designed to improve their relationship with the greens. “On the ninth hole, Tilly’s ‘master bunker’ at the front right of the green defines the strategy of the hole by dictating that the best angle to the green is from the left side of the fairway,” said Norby. “There was one large cross-bunker up the left side of the fairway but, with today’s driving distances, that bunker was somewhat less relevant than he intended. “We added a second cross-bunker and reconstructed the others with the fairway cut running into the bunkers as Tilly intended. We also reinstated a 150-square-foot corner of the green that had been lost directly behind the bunker. “I use these quick sketches to explore alternatives and to help my clients understand what the changes will look like. In this case, these sketches helped solidify the location of the new fairway bunker.” Norby is returning to Golden Valley in June to continue renovation work, including the regrassing of fairways and rebuilding greens. • Golden Valley, Minnesota Kevin Norby, ASGCA
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