Travis bunkers

Since the mid-1990s, many of the remaining Travis golf courses have undergone extensive renovations, remodeling, and/or restoration projects. In its role as a resource for Travis-related information, the Travis Society has been approached on many occasions for its assistance. Perhaps the most frequent question has been: What are the prominent characteristics of a Travis bunker?

There is no easy answer to this question, as you will see. In order to present as balanced and accurate a response as possible, we typically have provided images of original Travis bunkers, including several of those shown on this page. From the available pictures, it is apparent that “Travis bunkers” varied from the deep trench-type bunkers on Garden City Golf Club’s par-3 18th, to the flat-bottomed, shallow bunker at Stafford Country Club’s 10th hole, to the free-flowing, flashed-up bunkers at Hollywood Golf Club. In addition, he often talked about installing “pots” in strategic positions.

We would welcome further discussion of this question, and look forward to your comments.

Click on the thumbnails below to view the photos larger.

: The “Heinz 57″ hole at Hollywood Golf Club, Deal, NJ, so named because of the 57 bunkers Travis created on the hole. Walter J. Travis laid claim to the course after his complete redesign of greens, bunkers, and some rerouting in 1917.

: The signature par-three 4th hole at Hollywood Golf Club, Deal, NJ. This hole has retained its distinctive and dramatic appearance subsequent to recent renovation by Rees Jones.

: Bunkering on the par-5 5th hole at Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase, MD. The golfers are about 300 yards from the green. Originally designed by Herbert H. Barker, with assistance from member, Dr. W.S. Harban, the club considers its course a Travis course because of his extensive redesign in 1915.