St Andrews Old Course Changes: Phase 2

The second round of changes to the St Andrews Old Course began yesterday. The renovations are occurring over the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 9th and 15th holes. 

Martin Hawtree's design changes have been implemented in two stages. The first round of changes occurred this time last year, and photos can be seen here and here. This second stage is said to include the 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 9th holes. I have included before and after photos below. 

What do you think of the changes? Comment underneath the post and we'll get some discussion going!

Hole #3
10/11/13 - Fairway bunkering is being widened and slightly shifted away from the center of the fairway.

14/11/13 - A bunker in the fairway has been filled in and a bunker further down the fairway has been created. The bunker that has been deleted found very little use... I'm sure at the time of its creation, it was built in the driving landing area. The new bunker, in the modern landing area, is 50+ yards ahead. This is a perfect example of changes in club technology rendering various aspects of courses "outdated." 

Hole #4 
The fourth hole will have the two bunkers short and right of the green filled in and replaced with two (possibly one) larger bunkers much tighter and closer to the right edge of the green.

3/11/13

 4/11/13

5/11/13 - Martin Hawtree was on scene and was directing every move.

6/11/13

10/11/13 - After initially completing the shaping of the 4th green side area, all of the sod has been pulled back up and the ground has been reshaped.

14/11/13 - Re-sodding the area left of 4 green is now complete.

Hole #6
             Before:

               Currently: 
5/11/13

6/11/13

10/11/13 - Shaping seems to be complete and the area is being re-sodded.

Hole #9
              Before:

              Currently: 
10/11/13 - A new bunker is being added short, left of the green.

14/11/13 - A very large bunker, approximately 50-60 yards short of the green has been created.

Hole #15
              Before:

               Currently: 
14/11/13 - Reshaping of the rear are of the green is now occurring.

St Andrews Old Course Renovation Photos

I took a cold and rainy walk down on the Old Course this morning in order to take photos of the renovations that are currently taking place. To read my post outlining the changes, read here. I have posted the photos in order of convenience to walk, not in order by hole. Click on the photos to enlarge.

17th Hole

2nd Hole

A good view of the old bunkers (being filled in) with their new larger, shifted versions in the background

7th Hole

Large span of gorse removed in front of tee

11th Hole