Page 61 - Western Amateur 120th Championship Program 2022, Exmoor Country Club

Tournament Course Conditions and Changes

TOURNAMENT COURSE
2022 CHANGES BY As with any meaningful course changes,
CONDITIONS
GOLF ARCHITECT the Andrew Green recommendations
Course Superintendent Tim Kelly is were evaluated through a process that
ANDREW GREEN
using a comprehensive approach to represents the collective thoughts
create ideal playing conditions for In the fall of 2020, Exmoor engaged of variety of valued Exmoor entities.
the Western Amateur: “The Exmoor Andrew Green as the club’s new According to Greens Chairman
Agronomy Team will perform evening course architect. Green visited the golf Mark Gunderson: “The Golf Course
maintenance and bring in volunteers course several times in 2021 to begin Superintendent and Exmoor's Certified
for additional morning tasks related development of a new Master Plan. Arborist weighed in on the proposed
to the championship. We are fortunate During his visits, he recommended changes. The recommendations were
to have an outstanding community change to the 1st, 9th, and 18th holes then submitted to the Golf Course
of clubs and superintendents willing that could improve the course in Master Plan Committee (GCMPC)
to lend a member of their teams advance of the Western Amateur, and Grounds and Greens Committee
to Exmoor each morning. Most when the eyes of the amateur golfing where the changes were unanimously
significantly, our team of assistant world will be on Exmoor.
approved. The GCMPC then provided
superintendents will be working
In back of the first green, the cart path the recommendations to the Board of
almost round-the-clock to make this
has been straightened, with the run-off Governors to consider approval and
experience extraordinary. Major
area behind the green extended, and a implementation. The changes were
commendation is deserved for their
new championship tee is now installed unanimously adopted at the annual
work ethic and dedication.
for #18. The most noticeable changes board retreat in January.”
“Playing conditions will be challenging will occur on the 9th hole. The 300-year-
but fair. We will grow the rough longer old oak tree that has graced the right
than for typical member play to fairway for more than a century died
increase the penalty for those straying and was removed, to be replaced with a
from fairways and greens. Green series of new mounds, called hummocks.
speeds will be coordinated with the The left fairway bunker has been
Championship Operations Team to totally redesigned as a cluster of
provide an adequate challenge without bunkers in classic Ross style, with
sacrificing pin locations. Weather nearby hummocks as well, and the
permitting, we will keep things as bunker left of the green has been
firm as possible to enhance eliminated.
shortgrass/bunker engagements
(roll-ins)."

Mark Gunderson, Greens Chairman and Member,
Board of Governors

2022 Western Amateur Championship The Exmoor Golf Course 59