When we were building Pacific Dunes, we suggested building a giant putting green in back of the future clubhouse site: an ode to the Ladies’ Putting Green at St. Andrews, with its massive undulations and slopes. But the clubhouse was not yet designed, so there was too much risk of building something that got in its way.
A dozen years later, we were invited back to create The Punchbowl, which rivals the green in St. Andrews for size and exceeds it in elevation change. For a resort with multiple courses, it’s an excellent diversion at the end of the day, packed with golfers, drinks in hand. In other settings, like St. Andrews, it is the one golf activity which family members from 5 to 95 can enjoy. Golf needs more attractions like this that are appealing to beginners.
