MUNGEAM CORNISH GOLF DESIGN, Inc. Page 1 Thorny Lea Golf Club August 17, 2009 Visit Report

THORNY LEA GOLF CLUB BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Site Visit of August 17, 2009

On August 17th I had the pleasure of visiting Thorny Lea Golf Club in Brockton, Massachusetts. The visit was arranged with superintendent Jim Medeiros, who was kind enough to give me a tour of the golf course. I have known Jim since he was superintendent at Golf Club of Avon in Connecticut and consulted on improvements to that course. Never having visited Thorny Lea, I was interested in seeing this Wayne Stiles designed course which has turned out so many good local players. The following are some comments from my tour of the course: HOLE #1:

• Thorny Lea has a great history which is well documented in its Centennial

Book. The course began as a short 6-hole facility along West Street, was soon expanded to nine holes with the purchase of additional property along West Street in the area of existing 15 green and 16 tee. The nine hole course was lengthened in 1918, when the first hole became a dogleg left with a new green near Braemoor Road and the second a 510-yard par 5 in its current position. The sharp dogleg hole remained in place through the Wayne Stiles remodel in 1925. Years later, the hole was straightened, but the original green appears to remain.

• The first is a good opening

hole of medium length with good visibility of landing zone and green and without unfair hazards. There are no bunkers or water hazards, giving players the opportunity to begin their rounds without excessive difficulty. The corridor for play is somewhat narrow and should not be made more difficult by adding additional trees on the right side. Players should have sufficient opportunity for a recovery shot from the trees and rough.

Figure 1. The low profile 1st green pre-dates Stiles 1925 expansion.

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• Due to its construction prior to Stiles re-model; the low profile green at #1

lacks the style of his design work. Although there are plenty of subtle elevation changes and slopes within the interior, the edges and surrounds of the putting surface are less interesting than those created by Stiles.

• At less than 6,500 yards from the rear tee, Thorny Lea is a short course by

modern standards. Based on the number of excellent players at the club, the lack of length seems to have no affect on the quality of play. I feel that course length is overrated and would much rather play a course with diversity and balance than one that is long. That said, most clubs of this length seek to identify potential modifications to lengthen the course in order to remain current with newer facilities and not lose potential customers to other longer courses. If such changes can be made easily without significant disruption to the character of the course (such as new rear tees being added), than I favor such modifications. On #1, there appears space available to shift the green back if the club should desire.

HOLE #2:

• The second is a long, tough par-4 played over gently sloping terrain to a

small, highly contoured putting surface. • I loved the character of the

second shot on this hole and the layout of the approach fairway. Rather than the fairway leading into the center of the putting surface, the left front of the green is mowed as rough and the fairway enters from the right. This perfectly encourages players to utilize the downslope by hitting short of the green and having their ball roll onto the putting surface rather than be carried to the green. This style of design is too rare in modern American course design and maintenance. The Stiles route plan indicates a bunker was planned for the right side of the approach about 40 yards from the

Figure 2. The approach on #2 leads players to the right side of the green.

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green. Who knows if this bunker was ever built, but it would perfectly complement the ideal approach shot by making players challenge this hazard to pull off the bump and run that is needed.

• Greens invariably lose their original shape over time and Jim and I discussed

the restoration of some lost putting surface at the back left and right front of this interesting green.

HOLE #3:

• The first par-3 is a great

looking and challenging hole. This was a new hole created by Stiles in 1925, as players formerly went to the current 4th tee from the second green. The 3rd was originally a much shorter hole, having been lengthened from 160 yards to its current 207. The design of the green is much more conducive to an approach from the shorter length due to it’s abrupt front edge.

• I feel the size and shape of

the right greenside bunker has been compromised over the last 85 years. It appears to me that the bunker was bigger and extended slightly further across the front of the green.

• As with the second, the 3rd

green has also lost some significant area at the back. In reviewing the surrounds, one can observe a distinct row of gentle mounds and a sharp down slope behind the current

Figure 3. The right front bunker on #3 should be expanded to the left.

Figure 4. Shade issues at back of #3 green must be addressed before restoration of putting surface.

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green. These features were the original edge of the putting surface. In many cases, such areas were lost when turf managers switched from hand mowing to riding tri-plex mowers, as those machines could not turn in the tight areas without scarring the turf. At #3, there may also be an issue with shade and roots from adjacent trees behind the green which would make maintenance of green height turf in this area extremely challenging. The club should look to improve the environment for turf through tree pruning and removal to allow restoration this rear portion of putting surface.

HOLE #4:

• Although longer now and revised by Stiles, the fourth is one of the original

holes from the course inception in 1900. As with a lot of the holes, there are no fairway bunkers to define and guard the landing zone. I thought a left fairway bunker could be a nice addition to the hole.

• For many years, the area

between the tee and greens at Thorny Lea were unirrigated and there was no differentiation between the fairway and rough and most areas (other than greens) were mowed at the same height of cut. In dry conditions, balls would easily bounce and roll to the outer edges of the course. With the advent of more extensive irrigation came the delineation of fairways, and with the increased standards and cost of maintenance, the fairways have become smaller. At some courses, this has resulted in bunkers being separated from fairways by a wide strip of rough. During our review of older courses, we often make recommendation to expand fairways closer to bunkers – or move bunkers closer to fairways – in order to restore the direct connection between the two areas. On hole #4, I recommend that the fairway be expanded to the front right of the green to create a chipping area and restore the approach bunkers connection to the putting surface.

Figure 5. Expand fairway to right of #4 green.

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HOLE #5: • The fifth is another nice

hole and one of the few that has undergone extensive change since Stiles remodel of 1925. The green on this short par-4 was moved 30 or 40 years ago, increasing this holes length from 333 to 357 yards while also allowing the lengthening of Hole #15.

• The design style of the fifth

green and bunkers is noticeably different than others on the course. The putting surface slopes unnaturally away from the pond and the back of the green is domed with the surface rolling over the edge and into the swale behind.

HOLE #6:

• The sixth is a tough par-4 for men and a par-5 for the women. A similar

situation occurs at holes 2, 14 & 18, all of which are par-4’s for men and par-5’s for women. Total par for the course is 70 for men and 74 for the women. Consideration should be given to shortening the course length from the red tee markers on a couple of these holes to reduce the women’s par to 72 as I feel the total length of 5757 yards and par of 74 may be too much course for a lot of ladies. I like the idea of a championship tee, although the permitting required to build it may be difficult to attain.

Figure 6. Domed putting surface of rebuilt #5.

Figure 7. Former bunker is evident on right side of #6 fairway.

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• There was formerly a bunker on the right side of the fairway part way up the slope. Consideration should be given to restoring this original feature of Stiles design.

• As with those at hole #3, the bunkers adjacent to this steeply sloped green

have lost their original shape. A review of old aerial photographs may confirm this suggestion. I feel that the right front bunker extended further around the front of the green and there was more fairway in front of this bunker to “show” the hazard. The left greenside bunker needs a berm along the left side to keep surface water from washing out the sand.

HOLE #7:

• I really like this short par-4. I like the slight angle of the dogleg with the distant

view of the green along the right tree line, the way the fairway starts to the left of the center line, and the deep front bunkers that guard the green from a run-up approach. The well protected plateau green is well suited to the length of the hole by rewarding a long drive with the ability to play a lofted iron approach.

• The Stiles route plan indicates a fairway bunker was planned for the right side

of the hole. This feature would have encouraged players to risk carrying the hazard to shorten the distance to the green. I like the idea of a bunker right because it also breaks up the view along the “line of charm” – a former architects term used for the direct view from tee to green.

• The green complex for #7 is interesting and challenging. Contouring of the

putting surface and the proximity of OB stakes to the rear demand accuracy on approach shots. I dislike the way the green drains directly into the front bunkers causing erosion and contamination of the sand, and would want to review this situation to see if the design could be modified slightly to reduce this occurrence.

HOLE #8:

• The right side of the tee pad aligns with the left side of the fairway. This

makes me feel that perhaps the landing zone was further left at one time and the hole has since become straighter. There is space to the left to expand the fairway that direction and add some interest to the tee shot. The Stiles route plan shows a bunker to the right (near where trees were recently removed), which would give reason for the shift in the fairway. Several young pine trees would need to be removed.

• I found it interesting that the “Sahara” bunker in the middle of the fairway

was not shown on the Stiles route plan, another indication of how the design

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of a course evolves during construction and that the architect’s plan is merely a guide.

• Jim and I discussed removal

of a mound on the left edge of the hole near the property corner. I feel this mound should remain.

• The hole culminates in a

great green complex. An extensive area of green should be restored at the rear.

HOLE #9:

• The ninth is a beautiful short

par 3 at which an alternate set of tees were added that create a completely different angle. I like the difference in the shots required from the two sets of tees. From the original tee, players hit more directly into the slope of the green and are not so penalized for an off-line shot. From the left tee, tee shots must be accurately directed at the left side of the green or risk rolling off the putting surface into the deep bunkers on the right. I think the variation in the shots adds to the charm of the hole.

• The best courses are those with a balance of hole length and sequence. It

would be dull to play a course with all 3 pars the same length and I applaud Jim’s utilization of marker and hole placement to create different shots, such as the 110 yard pitch from the front of the tee to a front pin. I feel the modern golfer places too much emphasis on length when accuracy around the greens generally determines ones score. By placing the markers here forward, and the markers on hole #3 back, a difference of 100 yards can be made between these par 3’s.

Figure 8. The back of the 8th green should be restored.

Figure 9. The beautiful hole #9 from "new" tee.

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GREENS:

• Thorny Lea is blessed with a great set of green complexes that provide

variety and challenge to the course. They were in great condition and I don’t feel that any should be changed. I have noted several instances where greens have become smaller or changed in shape. These putting surfaces should be reviewed for possible restoration of lost cupping areas.

TEES:

• The club should consider opportunities to expand and level the blue tee

area. • On hole #10 we discussed

lowering the existing rear tee and building a new tee further back. I thought this was a good idea and generally approve of adding rear tees where possible to strengthen the course. In doing so, thought needs to be given to the balance and diversity of the course. I often visit courses that have chosen to lengthen all the short holes to add distance to the course. This is an awful mistake that jeopardizes the interest in playing the facility. Most would rather play a course with a few par-4’s of under 350 yards than an endless number of holes over 400.

BUNKERS:

• Thorny Lea has very few fairway bunkers. I feel that a few more would

enhance the course. • Several bunkers that have become smaller should be restored to their former

shape and depth.

Figure 10. Strive for consistency in shape of tee boxes.

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• We noted several bunkers that are not protected from surface water,

resulting in erosion and contamination. Modifications may be possible that eliminates these issues.

• Shaping of the bunkers could be a little more consistent. Some bunkers have

the sand splashed up the faces. In others the floors are fairly flat. I feel that bunkers should look natural and have evolved, so I don’t mind some differences.

TREE MANAGEMENT:

• I really liked seeing the under brushing that was being done. This improves

playability and air movement. • Where managed, trees on a course are beautiful, but where they adversely

impact turf or playability, they should be removed. Most courses heavily planted new trees in the 50’s and 60’s. Those trees have now matured to the point where many need to be removed. Thorny Lea seems to be doing a good job of removing trees without changing the character of the course.

• Tree growth around greens must be carefully monitored and managed.

Trees grow in toward the light that is available, often reducing sunlight on the turf. Morning sun is most important, requiring that the eastern side of the green be more open. Root pruning may also be necessary to keep roots from the penetrating the finely maintained surfaces.

Thank you for the invitation to visit Thorny Lea. I’d like to come back and play the course some time. Please let me know if the club is interested in consulting with a golf course architect in the future as I would love to work with the club on any changes to the course. Respectfully submitted, MUNGEAM CORNISH GOLF DESIGN, Inc.

Mark A. Mungeam, ASGCA September 8, 2009