Changes

The greens committee of Taconic is currently considering a course restoration project to be completed during the winter of 2006-2007. They are working with architect Gil Hanse, who has had a hand in restoring such classic courses as Merion East, Kittansett, and Fenway. One exciting proposed change is adding a lower tee for #12 to the left of the existing tee. This would make the tee ball more intimidating, as the angle would be sharper and the shot semi-blind up and over the steep falloff; hopefully Hanse will also consider removing the huge oak that currently constricts the dangerous long left driving alley. The second major change will involve the third hole - adding fairway bunkering on the left while reconfiguring the landing areas. This proposed change alters one of the best par fours on the course, so hopefully the resulting hole will not fall anything short of excellent. The third drastic proposed change is to cut down 37 pine trees behind the 16th green to make it a "skyline" putting surface - this will provide a thrilling long iron shot to a flag flapping against the sky while also opening up dramatic views across the front nine. Other changes include adding fairway bunkering on 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 15 while removing the current bland oval fairway bunkers on 6, 7, and 8; adding greenside bunkers on 5, 15, and 18; recapturing lost green space on almost every hole; stretching fairways back out to their original width to tie them to bunkers that now lie disconnected in the rough; and adding new back tees to 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18 - in total adding 200 yards to the course. The tees on 16, 17, and 18 will bring those already punishing holes to 460 yards, 245 yards, and 535 yards, respectively - should be quite the tough finish to the already demanding back nine!