LOS ANGELES (AP) — The upcoming U.S. Open will be dominated by a formidable presence that will capture the attention of every player on the course, and it’s safe to say they would rather avoid it.
The talk of the town at Los Angeles Country Club is the barranca – an ever-present element that will test the mettle of golfers throughout the tournament. Snaking its way through a significant portion of the front nine and extending into the back nine, this natural hazard is characterized by sandy expanses, indigenous foliage, and plants that have a knack for ensnaring golf balls.
Similar to the majestic cliffs along Pebble Beach or the infamous church pew bunker at Oakmont, the barranca has become the talk of the town, instilling fear in the hearts of players as the U.S. Open returns to Los Angeles for the first time since 1948.
“The barranca down below where the bunker is, it is very bad,” remarked Collin Morikawa when questioned about his strategy for tackling the short par-4 sixth hole, which offers various options.
Among the choices available, one option is to drive over the trees on the right side of the fairway and aim for the green. However, this approach carries the risk of veering into the barranca, which forms a semicircular shape encompassing the left side of the putting surface. A poorly placed shot in that area can turn a potential eagle 2 into a variable outcome.
“It’s the risk-reward aspect of this golf course,” commented John Bodenhamer, the chief championships officer of the USGA.
Strolling through this natural-looking landscape, with its brown-greenish hues, creates a sense of being far removed from the modern-day heart of Los Angeles. Yet, it is the contrast between the course’s features and the towering skyscrapers and glamorous allure of Beverly Hills on the horizon that truly distinguishes LACC as a one-of-a-kind venue.
The barranca makes its first appearance on the par-4 second hole, measuring 497 yards. It stretches in front of the green, forcing any player who misses the fairway to decide whether to attempt carrying the expanse or opt for a safer lay-up behind it.
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When it comes to the various decisions involving the barranca on this course, it’s important to note that they are not strictly binary options.
Collin Morikawa explained, “You can get a very bad lie, but you can also get a lie that’s all right, allowing you to hack it out to the middle of the green.” In other words, while landing in the barranca can present challenges, it doesn’t always result in an all-or-nothing outcome. Depending on the lie, players may still have a chance to recover and position themselves favorably on the green.
During a practice round this week, Justin Thomas found himself facing a challenging situation when his drive landed in a clump within the barranca to the right of the 17th fairway. Taking his time to evaluate the circumstances, Thomas braced himself on the slippery silt, and despite his foot sliding, he managed to execute a well-struck low liner that brought the ball back into play.
This outcome was considered favorable, but as highlighted by USGA agronomist Darin Bevard in a featured article on the association’s website, other shots in the barranca can lead to circumstances where the result reflects the quality of the shot itself. In other words, if a player finds themselves in such a predicament, the outcome is commensurate with the shot played.
Within the barranca, certain areas are designated as red-lined hazards, while others are not. This distinction means that a drop from an unplayable lie in certain parts still incurs a one-shot penalty, but there is no guarantee that the resulting lie from the drop will be optimal.
When architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner commenced the renovation of LACC in 2009, they referenced photographs taken shortly after the course’s initial significant overhaul in 1928 by the esteemed designer George C. Thomas. Thomas was also responsible for crafting two of Los Angeles’ other renowned golf courses, Riviera and Bel-Air Country Club.
Prior to Hanse’s renovation, the majority of the barranca areas at LACC were covered with overgrown grass, resulting in a parkland-style layout with a significant number of trees. However, Hanse was determined to restore the course to its original vision conceived by George C. Thomas.
Barrancas, being primarily drainage channels, inherently possess an element of unpredictability. During an exceptionally wet winter and spring in Los Angeles this year, the barrancas at LACC experienced periods of surging water levels, reaching up to 3 feet. This caused erosion and the loss of sand that formed the base of the barrancas. Additionally, vegetation grew excessively in some areas.
Efforts were made to ensure that the barrancas neither resembled running streams nor became unplayable hazards. Course workers employed tools such as weed whackers, hundreds of rakes, and strategic tree planting to thin out certain areas and make others less susceptible to erosion.
The objective of the renovation was to achieve a sandy aesthetic, and in some locations, the result was the emergence of wildflowers.
According to journalist and author Geoff Shackelford, who provided consultation for the redesign, the primary objective of the project was to restore a sense of California native aesthetics rather than an artificial or manufactured appearance. The intention was not only to enhance the risk-reward aspect and playability of the course but also to create a visually stunning and enjoyable environment.
On days when the course is not hosting a major championship and the crowd is limited to club members, the barrancas are likely to attract more birds and butterflies than before, turning them into a miniature Audubon sanctuary that traverses the entire course.
Undoubtedly, it is a picturesque layout. However, for the 156 competitors contending with the challenges of the course this week, it serves as a classic reminder to admire its beauty from a distance rather than engaging in unnecessary encounters with its hazards.
