Stensballegaard Bunker Policy Part III

THE PROCESS....

 It's been an enlightening and gratifying experience, initiating the STENSBALLEGAARD BUNKER POLICY.  I truly wish everyone could have 'taken this journey'. 

Today, we can't know if our campaign will be successful.  We can say, treating bunkers as hazards has:

1) made bunkers relevant again
2) aggravates players, causing them to avoid the bunkers

3) demonstrated there is a sustainable solution to bunker maintenance

4) quite possibly saved a significant amount of sand during a recent wind storm

5) will increase the life expectancy of the bunkers and sand 

Today, it is easy for me to say this "Bunker Policy" is the right way for bunkers to be treated.  Having been through the debate, I now realize my perspective about bunkers and bunker maintenance had devolved to an illogical and unsustainable expectation - like so many golfers.  Having the opportunity to objectively discuss this issue and then help define and defend it, has been a revelation for me.

It would be too presumptuous to say; we hope this step we have taken, will ultimately lead to a 'global' re-evaluation of bunkers and bunker maintenance.   But, I do sincerely hope this policy will help encourage other golfers and golf courses to seriously consider implementing a similar policy.  

In this, the 3rd part of this series, we provide more of the communication related to the bunker policy, exchanges with our client and the also the Green Committee Chairman:

Henrik (client),

While I was thinking about wording for a Bunker Policy sign: We’ve talked about Stensballegaard’s bunker policy being the precursor to a new trend of reduced bunker maintenance. I was thinking; One of our difficulties is explaining the concept. This lead me to thought that we might want to coin a phrase which would describe this type of bunker maintenance. The idea that came to me is – “Heritage Bunkers”. I thought this might immediately imply a “historical” context. The idea is: if we use this phrase whenever we talk about the bunkers, it might become an accepted term for Stensballegaard type bunkers. Think about it. It might be better than “bunker policy”.

Anyway, to your request for wording for a sign for the first tee…

HERITAGE BUNKERS

Stensballegaard’s bunkers are hazards and therefore maintained with minimal intervention.

We invite you to embrace the intended challenge of these hazards.

You will not find rakes in the bunkers.

We ask that you smooth your tracks upon leaving a bunker, in consideration of following players.

The above is the suggestion you asked for – short and to the point. As always, feel free to modify it or write a different one…
Rick
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After the above, there was a conversation and revision to the statement.  Below, is my response.
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To: Henrik (client)
RE: Heritage Bunkers....
Two points for discussion:
1. I'm not sure the original version (below) adequately informs green fee players that Stensballegaard bunkers are NOT “maintained” – or, not maintained like other courses?

2. It’s true, the course is designed with large fairways (in places). I know you’ve said, stressing the “very wide fairways” helps players comprehend/accept the bunker policy. But, saying this also compromises the intent of the bunker policy. We are essentially saying; "Accommodations have been made in the design of the golf course to compensate for the bunker policy". We cannot promote this policy by saying; "Bunkers are intended as hazards" and then say "Therefore, we have modified the design so you can avoid them." This is a serious compromise to the policy and potentially to the golf course. It makes it sound like the golf course design is not normal and would be inappropriate without this policy.

We need to communicate to the players; it's their responsibility to challenge the hazards or avoid the hazards - this is the most basic tenet of strategic golf.

We need to communicate to the players: "bunkers are hazards" - this means they are NOT intended to be maintained to a high standard and players should NOT expect to find a good lie in the bunkers.

We need to communicate the DGU has provided extra compensation for the bunkers. (While handicapping the golf course the DGU made allowances for the bunker policy.)

We need to communicate to the players; You can play short of the bunkers. You can play away from the bunkers. You can play strategically to avoid the bunkers. But, if you challenge the bunkers or if you hit a bad shot and arrive in a bunker, do not expect a perfect lie and playing condition.

Below are two alternate options - to the original version - attempting to incorporate the above thoughts.
original version

BUNKER POLICY

Bunkers at Stensballegaard are HAZARDS.

Therefore play strategically: Avoid them.

The course is designed accordingly with very large fairways.

There are no rakes in the bunkers.

In consideration of following players, you are therefore kindly asked to smooth your tracks.

OPTION 1

BUNKER POLICY

Bunkers at Stensballegaard are HAZARDS and maintained as HAZARDS.

Therefore play strategically: Avoid them.

There are no rakes in the bunkers.

In consideration of following players you may smooth your tracks.

OPTION 2

BUNKER POLICY

Stensballegaard is designed for, and rewards, strategic play.

Stensballegaard bunkers are maintained as HAZARDS.

Players should avoid them or challenge them and accept the consequences.

There are no rakes in the bunkers.

In consideration of following players, please smooth your tracks.

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Thanks Rick.

I have certainly bought your points.

I am away this afternoon and not back home until around 6,30pm.

I shall try to call you, when back home.

Henrik

......the result of the above discussion/exchange.......

Next, came an exchange of letters.......with the Green Committee Chairman:

Christian,

I wanted to thank you for our meeting at Stensballegaard during my recent visit.

The ongoing debate about Stensballegaard’s bunker policy, which cannot always be easy for you, is certainly important for Stensballegaard and perhaps more important for golf's future.

Of course, we couldn’t know exactly how this debate would evolve when we started down this path. But, when we conceived the bunker policy, we were confident it was an important (if controversial) endeavor and statement. Already, we have realized a measure of success, in the form of debate and lucid discussion about hazards and their intrinsic value to the game of golf. This, by itself, is gratifying.

In the world today, there are many ongoing debates about how technology is changing golf. Most of the debate centers around golf clubs and golf balls. But, golf course maintenance has also undergone technological improvements, which have changed the game; both positively and negatively. What we are learning is; all of this innovation is making it more difficult to keep golf affordable - sustainable. Golf industry service providers are busy trying to reconcile all these issues and the resulting impact on the game of golf. At some point in the near future, golfer’s will also need to face this reality and decide what is important. Eventually we all need to accept changes if we are to make golf sustainable. Along with ‘technology’, limited water and oil resources will dictate changes in golf development, maintenance and management. Ultimately, this will change the way golf is played.

We have seen a recent trend of golf courses adding tees and lengthening golf holes to keep them relevant for today’s equipment. However this trend, to lengthen golf courses, marginalizes the beginners and average players. Instead of designing and maintaining golf courses in a manner which promotes shot making skills, the trend is to simply lengthen golf courses to “defend par”. This trend widens the gap between average golfers and proficient golfers. Making golf courses longer, at a time when the industry is trying to figure out how to introduce new players to the sport seems schizophrenic and contradictory. Creative rational solutions like Stensballegaard’s bunker policy will be required if we are keep golf relevant in the future.

It is important for all of us to remember, this policy is not “revolutionary”. It is being practiced, to some extent, in many areas. I believe I related my discussion with Golf Digest’s Architectural Editor Ron Whitten. Ron owned a golf course for some years and also attempted to implement this policy. He was marginally successful. When I discussed this with him, he offered his sincere support. He is also confident this is the way forward – for many reasons.

As you requested, we send “bunker quotes” from “Golden Age” golf architects. I will search for more and send them as I find them……

“Often the highest recommendation of a bunker is when it is criticized. There is no such thing as a misplaced bunker. Regardless of where a bunker may be, it is the business of the player to avoid it”
Donald Ross, Golf Architect

“The true hazard should draw the player towards it, should invite the golfer to come as near as he dare to the fire without burning his fingers. The man who can afford to take risks is the man who should gain the advantage.”

John Low, Golf Architect


“The risk of going into a bunker is self-imposed, so there is no reason why a player should condemn a bunker as unfair.”
CB MacDonald, Golf Architect


“The great value of a hazard is not that it catches a shot that has been missed but that it forces a miss upon the timid player; its psychological worth is greater than it penal value.”
Bobby Jones


“The golf architect is not at all concerned with chastising bad play. On the contrary, it is his business to arrange the field of play as to stimulate interest, and hence, the province of hazards is to chasten the too ambitious.”
Max Behr, Golf Architect

It is our most fervent hope that Stensballegaard will maintain the bunker policy. In doing so, Stensballegaard is taking a courageous and significant stance; protecting and preserving golf’s heritage. This honorable objective can only achieved by by taking the first brave step and then continuing with determined perseverance.

Please let us know if we can be of assistance in helping improve Stensballegaard Golf.
Rick

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From Stensballegaard’s Green Committee Chairman Christian
Dear Rick,

Thank you so much for your kind e-mail. We are very happy to receive your comments and they are exactly what we need. We will show your comments to our members hoping that this will enable them to better understand the philosophy behind the bunkers.

I think that one of our big challenges in the years to come, will be to teach our member to use the bunkers correctly. During our meeting I mentioned the problems with footprints and that this problem grow as soon as one pair of footprints are visible then it suddenly becomes legal just to leave one’s own prints un done. This behavior is self imposing and we need to avoid it, strangely enough if there is many animal prints no one complain!

Anyway, we will publish your letter on our web page and also use the nice quotes you have sent us – they are simply super.

I am sure that if we keep the focus on why the bunker police is necessary then in the end our members will start to treat the bunkers better and some might even end up loving the old style bunker maintenance.
(Green Committee Chairman)
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Dear Christian,
Thank you. During the writing of my previous letter to you – it occurred to me that we need to write a comprehensive “open letter” to the Stensballegaard membership about the bunker policy. Now that the first season is nearing an end, and everyone has lived with this policy, I think it’s a good time to summarize some “bunker” experiences, comments and discussions.

Most of all, I hope I have communicated the great pride we have for Stensballegaard and the membership. It is also our hope the membership begins to love this style of bunker and we are really looking forward to the day when this policy becomes a matter of pride. I sense this day is not far away!!!

Finally, we want you to know we are here to support you and make this trip with you…. So, please let us know if you think there is anything we can do to be of assistance.

Kind personal regards,

Rick