I prefer #2 but what is that tail-like piece of the greenside bunker?

OK, I remember living in MA when this course was built. Was it really old enough for a redo? Was it even needed? The "Before" looked great not only in that photo but also on the ground as you took a deep gulp before swinging away.

sheesh....

Yes, the course is only ~5 yrs old - but they've made changes to it every year since it opened. However, this year's changes are more extensive than all prior years combined. Previously, it had a sort of soul-less, generic TPC/resort course feel. The renovations were done to give it more of a traditional New England feel. Among other things, this meant converting one of the par-fours to a "drive-able" par four (the 4th hole), adding fescue throughout the course, adding/combining/moving nearly every bunker on the course, and making the greens smaller and more countoured. Basically, it's now sort of a cross between a traditional TPC course and the old-school 100-yr old New England courses like TCC, Charles River, Essex, Salem, Myopia, etc. I've played the course several times before and after the changes, and I think it's a better course now than before.

After hearing about these changes over the last few months, and then seeing these photos, it is clear that they have succeeded in at least one regard, that I am excited to watch this tournament just to see the course. That just doesn't happen that often any more. So really it's been a pretty good month for course viewing, the PGA was compelling with the changes made there, the U.S. Am will be exciting to watch with the significance of the event and the backdrop of Olympic, and then next week in Boston.

I haven't played much golf in Boston, but if this course can be placed in the same pantheon of Charles River and Myopia (not much golf, but two of the nicer ones I'd imagine), then it sounds like a trip to New England would be justified.

After Photo = Charm and Character
Before Photo = Business Suit and Bor-ed Room

JAD