Sometimes you can make an older golf course significantly better and more enjoyable with just a few changes. Our team had that opportunity recently in New York and the work we did is a great example of how a team approach and some practical changes can really enrich a site.

Located on the south shore of Long Island, NY, the 102-year old Woodmere Club sustained extensive flooding and storm-surge damage during 2012's devastating Superstorm Sandy. In over a century as a storied and revered private club, Woodmere-which was expanded to 18 holes by Robert Trent Jones in the 1950s, has weathered it all: droughts, the Great Depression and wars. When Sandy covered Woodmere's golf course and clubhouse in six feet of salt water, repair and improvement became a must.

The staffs lack of ability to water killed several greens and compounded the problems brought by the sea salts. An especially unfortunate loss was a stand of 100 decades-old pine trees near the fourth and 10th holes. Their loss eliminated much of the strategy for the two bordering holes.

Understandably, some members wanted the trees to be replaced, but take a look at the results above and below and see If Woodmere made the right decision.

The work our small team (including Don Mahaffey, Joe Hancock and the superintendent Tim Benedict) constructed on the 10th hole was designed around the existing green. Previously, the hole had tour bunkers that looked like symmetrical jigsaw puzzle pieces. We removed those dated bunkers as it they were pairs of bell bottom jeans. We then replaced the bunkers with tight green surrounds and one large greenside bunker that hugs the right side or the green. The sandy blurt was transformed into a large bunker complex that ate into the landform and separated the 10th and 4th holes. The new bunker complex entices players to challenge the sand, to receive better playing angles and to get more rewarding bounces.

Woodmere was brought to prominence by Robert Trent Jones Sr., and his work Included many of his trademarks, including several rectangular "runway" tee complexes. The club has continued to stretch out additional tees as an homage to the popular feature by Jones from the 1960s. One such complex served as Inspiration, as we were able to build the 10th and 4th tees into a singular V-shaped runway tee. This allowed for a longer 4th hole and the proximity created a more intimate setting between holes for a greater sense of community. It's now easier for members to talk to each other and see how other golfers are playing. We were also able to remove at least one dozen view-obstructing items from the teeing area. Cart path, ornamental trees, curbing, fences, hedge rows, bushes were all removed. What remained was an expansive vista that immediately showcased the property as soon as a member or visitor entered the gates to the course. We were even able to connect and combine the two fairways into a massive conjoined 120-yard expanse. This past winter, we had the opportunity to see a group of players whose tee shots were spread out by over 100 yards and in an even greater variety of places.

Now the 10th and 4th holes play with far more strategy and look fantastic. The member who brought us onto the project says our work was "a home run!”