BUNKERING
There are 53 bunkers in total on the Green Acres course with 28 occurring on the front nine and 25 on the back. We suggest this
is a modest number for a course of Green Acres’ standing. Comparative courses bunker numbers are shown in the below table
which we have sourced from Google mapping. We do not however suggest striving to reach a bunker number of 80 plus, however a
modest increase is in our view is warranted and will assit in setting Green Acres apart from its neighbors.
C O M PAR ITI V E
COURSE
Kew
LaTrobe GC
Kooringal GC
Riversdale GC
Green Acres GC
Green Acres GC
APPROX.
BUNKER NO.
40
51
82
118
Existing 53
Proposed 65
Right: The plain ‘oval’ style of bunker as
shown here on the 3rd hole are to be
remodelled in keeping with the preferred
restrained ‘cape and bay‘ style shown above.
In addition this image illustrates egress issues
to be addressed going forward.
It is of interest that bunkers may only cover 1% to 2% of the total area of the golf course but can require 20% to 25% of the available
resources to maintain. Therefore it makes sense to carefully consider the introduction of additional bunkers as any additions
represent an increase in labor input. That said as with many aspects of golf course architecture, it is an art not a science and
there is not always a rational argument to justify existing and indeed proposed bunkers. It is however our considered opinion that
Green Acres would benefit from a judicious improvement to the strategy and interest that additional well positioned and attractive
bunkering will bring to the course.
The intention of this Master Plan is to increase the number of bunkers to around 65 (+12), plus or minus 1, with a more even
distribution between the two nines. The distribution of new bunkers is equally divided between guarding the greens and reinforcing
the strategy of the hole from the tee. That said a key principle of the Strategic School of Design we subscribe to is to design a
hole from the green backwards, as the way in which a green is protected by bunkers – directly influences the approach shot into
the green and subsequently this influences the positioning of fairway bunkers or indeed other forms of hazard. Therefore where
possible, and without requiring too much change to existing bunker locations, we have endeavoured to strengthen the strategic
qualities of each hole at Green Acres. As it is often said - ‘The greater the risk the greater the reward’!
General considerations regarding the bunkering of a course include;
+
+
+
+
+
A hazard influencing the strategy of play positively.
An aesthetic/landscape feature contributing to the visual appeal of the golf course.
A directional indicator.
To retain errant golf shots, e.g. to prevent golf balls rolling down a hill.
For safety, e.g. encouraging golfers to aim away from a vulnerable boundary.
A significant consideration of a re-bunkering programme is that of bunker style selection. A course’s bunkering contributes much
to the memorability of a course and whilst the greens are the heart and soul of a course, its bunkers are surely a window into that
soul. It is most important that the chosen bunker style is carried throughout the course to ensure a readily identifiable and consistent
aesthetic – without appearing overly repetitious - as is the case with a few examples at Green Acres. It is also as important that their
playability, maintainability, and appropriateness in relation to the history of the course is comprehensively addressed.
Above: The 6th and 8th bunkers are good
examples of a suitably restrained ‘cape and
bay’ style of recommended for Green Acres
PAG E 1 1
GREEN ACRES GOLF CLUB
MASTER PLAN REPORT
BUNKERING